Have you ever wanted to pray but haven't memorized many surats and wonder how you will be able to pray? Many people out there have the same concerns but like any other problem in Islam, it also has a solution. 

A common solution of this issue is to hold the Quran while praying. If you are completely new to Islam, than there is no problem doing this but if you know a few surats than it is not permissible. A common view on this issue is that during nafl prayers such as Tahajud or Taraweeh, there is no problem holding the Quran, but during obligatory prayers, it is makrooh (not liked by Allah) unless there is a need for it, than there is no problem holding this book. In fact, it is obligatory to hold the Holy Book if you have not memorized Surat Fatiha (first chapter).

 Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Mughni, 1/335: Ahmad said: There is nothing wrong will leading the people in praying qiyaam whilst looking at the Mus-haf. It was said to him: What about obligatory prayers? He said: I have not heard anything concerning that. Al-Qaadi said: It is makrooh in obligatory prayers, but there is nothing wrong with it in voluntary prayers if one has not memorized (Qur'aan), but if one has memorized Qur'aan then it is also makrooh. He said: Ahmad was asked about leading the prayers whilst reading from the Mus-haf in Ramadaan. He said: If that is necessary (it may be done)... and it was narrated from Ibn Haamid that it is equally permissible in both naafil and obligatory prayers. 

The rule on it being makrooh is for those who have memorized the Quran, because they will needlessly be distracted from looking at the place where the sujood is to be made. 

Another hadeeth regarding this issue is: 

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: Is it permissible for the imam to read from the Mus-haf during the five daily prayers, especially Fajr when lengthy reading is required and there is the fear of making mistakes or forgetting? He replied: That is permissible if there is a need for it, just as it is permissible to read from the Mus-haf in Taraweeh for one who has not memorized the Qur'aan. Dhakwaan, the freed slave of 'Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) used to lead her in prayer in Ramadaan, reading from the Mus-haf, as was narrated by al-Bukhaari in his Saheeh in a mu'allaq majzoom report. It is Sunnah to recite at length in Fajr prayer, so if the imam has not memorized al-Mufassal or anything else from the rest of the Qur'aan, it is permissible for him to recite from the Mus-haf. But it is prescribed for him to strive to memorize the Qur'aan, or at least to memorize al-Mufassal, so that he will not need to read from the Mus-haf. Al-Mufassal refers to the portion of the Qur'aan that starts with Soorat Qaf, up to the end of the Qur'aan. Whoever strives to memorize, Allaah will make it easy for him.