The Wisdom of Reciting Quietly and Aloud in the Prayers
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Question: Why do we recite quietly in the Zuhr and 'Asr prayers, but aloud in the remaining times, namely Maghrib, 'Isha', and Fajr?
Answer: First: It is obligatory for the Muslim to act in accordance with what has been reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), even if he does not know the wisdom behind it; because the obligation is obedience, whether we know the wisdom or not. Knowing the wisdom is a secondary matter that adds benefit, otherwise the obligation is obedience. This includes reciting quietly in the daytime prayers and aloud in the nighttime prayers. Allah knows best the wisdom in that.
However, it may be that the wisdom, and Allah knows best, is that the nighttime prayer is recited aloud because this is more conducive to humility, and because the recitation in the nighttime prayer is closer to reflection due to the quietness of voices at night and the absence of distractions. So if one recites aloud, that is more conducive to reflection and humility.As Allah the Exalted said: [Surah al-Muzzammil: 6] , so the prayer at night has a distinction, and reciting the Qur'an aloud in it has
a distinction; because it is a time when distractions cease and the mind becomes calm, and a person is free to reflect, unlike the daytime, which is a time of occupations and voices, and a person is usually preoccupied from reflection.
Answer: First: It is obligatory for the Muslim to act in accordance with what has been reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), even if he does not know the wisdom behind it; because the obligation is obedience, whether we know the wisdom or not. Knowing the wisdom is a secondary matter that adds benefit, otherwise the obligation is obedience. This includes reciting quietly in the daytime prayers and aloud in the nighttime prayers. Allah knows best the wisdom in that.
However, it may be that the wisdom, and Allah knows best, is that the nighttime prayer is recited aloud because this is more conducive to humility, and because the recitation in the nighttime prayer is closer to reflection due to the quietness of voices at night and the absence of distractions. So if one recites aloud, that is more conducive to reflection and humility.As Allah the Exalted said:
Indeed, the hours of the night are more effective for concurrence [of heart and tongue] and more suitable for words.
إِنَّ نَاشِئَةَ اللَّيْلِ هِيَ أَشَدُّ وَطْئًا وَأَقْوَمُ قِيلًاa distinction; because it is a time when distractions cease and the mind becomes calm, and a person is free to reflect, unlike the daytime, which is a time of occupations and voices, and a person is usually preoccupied from reflection.