The Ruling on Responding to the Mu'adhdhin
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Some scholars say that responding to the mu'adhdhin is obligatory.And he argues with the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): (When you hear the mu'adhdhin, say what he says) He said: This is a command, and a command indicates obligation. So what is the factor that turns this command into a recommendation?
First, may Allah reward you. This is based on whether the default ruling for a command is obligation, or whether the default ruling for a command is recommendation?There is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding this: Some say: The default ruling for a command is obligation.
And among them are those who say: The default ruling for a command is recommendation.
And there are proofs for each, and one of the strongest proofs cited by those who say it is a recommendation is: Because when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded it, that was evidence that it is prescribed and beloved to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). And the default ruling is that there is no sin in leaving it. If the default ruling were that there is sin in leaving it, then this would be the recommended practice: that it is sought, but there is no sin in leaving it.
And some of them said: That the command is for obligation, based on the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Nur: 63] .
And for this reason we say: Neither of the two principles is consistent in reality. Many commands are agreed upon as being for recommendation, and many commands are agreed upon by scholars as being for obligation. But if there are indicators, the indicators support [the ruling].
So the correct opinion is: That responding to the mu'adhdhin is not obligatory, but rather it is a sunnah (recommended practice). And evidence for this is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Malik ibn al-Huwayrith and those with him: (When the prayer is established, let one of you call the adhan) And he did not say: "And let the other respond to him," or "Let the other say what he says," even though the occasion was one of teaching, and these were a delegation who might not return to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) again.
So the correct view is: That it is a sunnah (recommended practice) and not obligatory, and the indicator that turns it [from obligation] is this hadith that I mentioned to you.
First, may Allah reward you. This is based on whether the default ruling for a command is obligation, or whether the default ruling for a command is recommendation?There is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding this: Some say: The default ruling for a command is obligation.
And among them are those who say: The default ruling for a command is recommendation.
And there are proofs for each, and one of the strongest proofs cited by those who say it is a recommendation is: Because when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded it, that was evidence that it is prescribed and beloved to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). And the default ruling is that there is no sin in leaving it. If the default ruling were that there is sin in leaving it, then this would be the recommended practice: that it is sought, but there is no sin in leaving it.
And some of them said: That the command is for obligation, based on the saying of Allah the Exalted:
So let those beware who dissent from the Prophet's order, lest fitnah strike them or a painful punishment.
فَلْيَحْذَرِ الَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِ أَنْ تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌAnd for this reason we say: Neither of the two principles is consistent in reality. Many commands are agreed upon as being for recommendation, and many commands are agreed upon by scholars as being for obligation. But if there are indicators, the indicators support [the ruling].
So the correct opinion is: That responding to the mu'adhdhin is not obligatory, but rather it is a sunnah (recommended practice). And evidence for this is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Malik ibn al-Huwayrith and those with him: (When the prayer is established, let one of you call the adhan) And he did not say: "And let the other respond to him," or "Let the other say what he says," even though the occasion was one of teaching, and these were a delegation who might not return to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) again.
So the correct view is: That it is a sunnah (recommended practice) and not obligatory, and the indicator that turns it [from obligation] is this hadith that I mentioned to you.