What is the ruling on echo devices in some mosques?
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The questioner : O Shaykh, in some mosques there are these echo devices.
The Shaykh : The echo.
AThe questioner : Is this permissible?
The Shaykh : This person is asking about the echo in mosques. I see that it is not permissible. If it necessitates the repetition of letters, then its impermissibility is certain in my view, because repeating letters means adding to the words of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) and other scholars disliked the recitation of al-Kisa'i due to the intensity of its idgham or the length of its madd, because this implies that there is an addition to the words of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). However, if it does not necessitate the repetition of letters, I also see that it should be prohibited, but I do not assert this with absolute certainty. This is because the purpose of the Noble Qur'an is not for it to be like the melodies of songs and drums. The purpose is for a person to recite it with khushu' (humility). Perhaps his recitation without a loudspeaker is more conducive to khushu', as is usually observed. As for the command of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) to adorn the voices with the Qur'an, the intended meaning is the voices that Allah created humans with, not by bringing in a device. But if there is a necessity for the device, we do not forbid it; rather, we say it is from the grace of Allah. If the mosque is spacious and your voice needs to be amplified in it, there is no harm, as is now known in al-Masjid al-Haram and al-Masjid al-Nabawi and other mosques of the Muslims. As for this sound called the echo, if it necessitates the repetition of letters, it is haram (forbidden) and there is no doubt in it, because of the addition to the Qur'an. And if it does not include that, I also see that it should be prohibited. Yes.
O my brother Sa'id
The questioner : Yes
The Shaykh : Perhaps we will give you a question after two questions
The questioner : O Shaykh, the gathering now is all questions.
The Shaykh : But because the one with me is more deserving, they came from outside Unayzah seeking benefit
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : But you have your provision and your mosque
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Yes ... Okay, bring the question you have and we will study the matter, if Allah wills.
The Shaykh : The echo.
AThe questioner : Is this permissible?
The Shaykh : This person is asking about the echo in mosques. I see that it is not permissible. If it necessitates the repetition of letters, then its impermissibility is certain in my view, because repeating letters means adding to the words of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) and other scholars disliked the recitation of al-Kisa'i due to the intensity of its idgham or the length of its madd, because this implies that there is an addition to the words of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). However, if it does not necessitate the repetition of letters, I also see that it should be prohibited, but I do not assert this with absolute certainty. This is because the purpose of the Noble Qur'an is not for it to be like the melodies of songs and drums. The purpose is for a person to recite it with khushu' (humility). Perhaps his recitation without a loudspeaker is more conducive to khushu', as is usually observed. As for the command of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) to adorn the voices with the Qur'an, the intended meaning is the voices that Allah created humans with, not by bringing in a device. But if there is a necessity for the device, we do not forbid it; rather, we say it is from the grace of Allah. If the mosque is spacious and your voice needs to be amplified in it, there is no harm, as is now known in al-Masjid al-Haram and al-Masjid al-Nabawi and other mosques of the Muslims. As for this sound called the echo, if it necessitates the repetition of letters, it is haram (forbidden) and there is no doubt in it, because of the addition to the Qur'an. And if it does not include that, I also see that it should be prohibited. Yes.
O my brother Sa'id
The questioner : Yes
The Shaykh : Perhaps we will give you a question after two questions
The questioner : O Shaykh, the gathering now is all questions.
The Shaykh : But because the one with me is more deserving, they came from outside Unayzah seeking benefit
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : But you have your provision and your mosque
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Yes ... Okay, bring the question you have and we will study the matter, if Allah wills.