Is responding to the mu'adhdhin obligatory or not? And what is the factor that shifts the statement "When you hear the mu'adhdhin, say what he says" from obligation to recommendation?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you, esteemed Shaykh: Some scholars say that responding to the mu'adhdhin is obligatory, and they cite the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): Sunan an-Nasa'i 678Sahih (Darussalam) He said: This is a command, and a command indicates obligation. So what is the factor that shifts this command to recommendation?
The Shaykh : First: May Allah bless 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 scholarly disagreement on this:
Some say: The default ruling for a command is obligation.
And some say: The default ruling for a command is recommendation.
Each side has evidence. Among the strongest evidence for those who say it is recommendation, they said: Because when Allah commanded something, or when the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded something, that was proof that it is prescribed and beloved to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). And the default is that there is no sin in leaving it. And if the default is that there is no sin in leaving it, then it is recommended, meaning it is sought after but there is no sin in leaving it.
And some said: The command is for obligation, based on the saying of Allah the Exalted:[An-Nur 24:63].
Therefore, we say: Neither of these two principles is consistent in reality. Many commands come where scholars agree they are for recommendation, and many commands come where scholars agree they are for obligation. But if there are indicators, the indicators support the ruling.
So the correct view is: Responding to the mu'adhdhin is not obligatory, but it is a recommended practice (sunnah). And the proof for this is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Malik ibn al-Huwayrith and those with him:Sahih Muslim 674a And he did not say: "And let the other one respond to him," or "Let the other one say as 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 and his family) again.
So the correct view is: It is a recommended practice (sunnah) and not obligatory, and the indicator that shifts it is this hadith that I mentioned to you.
When you hear the Mu'adhdhin then say what he says
إذا سمعتم المؤذن فقولوا مثلما يقولThe Shaykh : First: May Allah bless 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 scholarly disagreement on this:
Some say: The default ruling for a command is obligation.
And some say: The default ruling for a command is recommendation.
Each side has evidence. Among the strongest evidence for those who say it is recommendation, they said: Because when Allah commanded something, or when the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded something, that was proof that it is prescribed and beloved to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). And the default is that there is no sin in leaving it. And if the default is that there is no sin in leaving it, then it is recommended, meaning it is sought after but there is no sin in leaving it.
And some said: 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 أَلِيمٌTherefore, we say: Neither of these two principles is consistent in reality. Many commands come where scholars agree they are for recommendation, and many commands come where scholars agree they are for obligation. But if there are indicators, the indicators support the ruling.
So the correct view is: Responding to the mu'adhdhin is not obligatory, but it is a recommended practice (sunnah). And the proof for this is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Malik ibn al-Huwayrith and those with him:
when the time for prayer comes, one amongst you should announce Adhan
إذا حضرت الصلاة فليؤذن لكم أحدكمSo the correct view is: It is a recommended practice (sunnah) and not obligatory, and the indicator that shifts it is this hadith that I mentioned to you.