If the imam prostrates for recitation in the secret prayer and does not say the takbir, does the ma'mum bow?
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The questioner : Prostration for recitation, specifically in the secret recitation, is for the rear rows, even if it is not the majority. Now, the imam prostrates for recitation without saying the takbir. The Saudis say the takbir.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : We do not say the takbir.
The Shaykh : Most Islamic countries say the takbir.
The questioner : The problem here is two-sided: if it is a secret recitation and the imam says the takbir, the majority will bow if it is secret; and if it is a loud recitation and the imam does not say the takbir, there is an error here, and consequently... I mean, is there a distinction between those two prayers, or is it the same opinion that they do not say the takbir?
The Shaykh : No, there is no difference, but the issue comes down to the wisdom of the imam. I think the problem is more exaggerated in the secret prayer than in the loud prayer; because even if the imam does not say the takbir for descending into prostration for recitation, the fact that he does not continue the recitation is itself a signal. This signal, as is clear, is not present in the secret prayer; therefore, we say: the imam must pay attention to his congregation who are praying behind him. If the congregation are not scholars and not educated, especially in the Sunni culture that we call Salafi, then one of two things should be done: either he should not recite a surah that contains a prostration verse, or if he recites it, he should not prostrate for it.
The questioner : It seems as if he is coming with a dispensation or coming with...?
The Shaykh : Because it is not obligatory.
The questioner : It is a condition, but it seems as if he is performing an act of obedience...
The Shaykh : ... .
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : We do not say the takbir.
The Shaykh : Most Islamic countries say the takbir.
The questioner : The problem here is two-sided: if it is a secret recitation and the imam says the takbir, the majority will bow if it is secret; and if it is a loud recitation and the imam does not say the takbir, there is an error here, and consequently... I mean, is there a distinction between those two prayers, or is it the same opinion that they do not say the takbir?
The Shaykh : No, there is no difference, but the issue comes down to the wisdom of the imam. I think the problem is more exaggerated in the secret prayer than in the loud prayer; because even if the imam does not say the takbir for descending into prostration for recitation, the fact that he does not continue the recitation is itself a signal. This signal, as is clear, is not present in the secret prayer; therefore, we say: the imam must pay attention to his congregation who are praying behind him. If the congregation are not scholars and not educated, especially in the Sunni culture that we call Salafi, then one of two things should be done: either he should not recite a surah that contains a prostration verse, or if he recites it, he should not prostrate for it.
The questioner : It seems as if he is coming with a dispensation or coming with...?
The Shaykh : Because it is not obligatory.
The questioner : It is a condition, but it seems as if he is performing an act of obedience...
The Shaykh : ... .
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.