Some of the worshippers raise their voices for the takbir of ihram in congregational prayer, and some of them also raise their voices for the opening supplication in a low voice that is still audible. What is the ruling on this?
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The questioner : Your Eminence, it happens that some of the worshippers raise their voices for the takbirs of ihram in congregational prayer, and some of them also raise their voices for the opening supplication, but in a low voice that is still audible. What is the ruling on raising the voice, even if it is low, in congregational prayer regarding the opening supplication and the takbir of ihram, for the ma'mum (one praying behind the imam) and the one praying alone? We ask for your guidance on this.
The Shaykh : As for the ma'mum, his right is to keep his voice low in the takbir, the opening supplication, the supplication in prostration, the tasbih, and so on. He is not to raise his voice, because raising his voice disrupts the following of the imam, and because raising his voice causes disturbance to those around him. For this reason, the scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) disliked that anyone should match the imam in the takbir except out of necessity. That is, they disliked that a person should follow the imam in raising his voice for the takbir except out of necessity, such as if the mosque is large and they cannot hear the imam's takbir, in which case someone informs them of it. This is permissible out of necessity, as Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) did when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) came while he was leading the people in prayer. Abu Bakr stood to the right of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) completed the prayer with them, but in a low voice. So Abu Bakr would say the takbir in response to the takbir of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), and the people would follow the voice of Abu Bakr.
So the conclusion is that the ma'mum is prohibited from raising his voice for the takbir, the opening supplication, the supplication in prostration, the tasbih, or anything else. And it is amazing that some people understood from the hadith of Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him): that this, meaning that the ma'mum raising his voice in recitation sometimes, is from the Sunnah. This is a wrong understanding, for the ma'mum is not an imam. One does not follow the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in this matter unless the person is an imam. As for if he is a ma'mum, if he raises his voice, he would be contrary to the guidance of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), who used to pray behind the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family).
And on this occasion, I warn my brothers, the students of knowledge, who have not reached the level of firmness in knowledge, from hastening to understand the texts from the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and then hastening to issue fatwas to people based on this understanding that is built on little knowledge.
And I say to them: Do not hasten for leadership. Wait, for you will have authority if Allah grants you the continuation in seeking knowledge and benefiting from it. For this reason, it is narrated from 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: "Understand the religion before you become leaders", meaning, understand the knowledge first before people make you leaders to whom they turn. And this is the essence of insight and the essence of wisdom.
So be patient, O my brother, student of knowledge. Be patient until you attain your place in knowledge with broad knowledge and sharp understanding, and do not hasten. You may issue a fatwa to people in a matter in which you were misguided, and many people may be misguided by your hand. And perhaps you will return to the truth one day, but you will not be able to cure the wound that occurred due to your first fatwa.
And know that you are coming to your Lord, and He will ask you, "Why did you mislead My servants?" before you exert effort in reaching knowledge, and then in verifying understanding. For the mufti speaks on behalf of Allah and His Messenger. The people of knowledge are the heirs of the prophets; they guide people to good and enjoin good upon people. So you will meet your Lord on the Day of Resurrection, and He will ask you, "Why did you mislead My servants?" before you have reached a place in knowledge that qualifies you to be among the people of fatwa?
I ask Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) to protect us and our brothers from errors, and to guide us to good speech and action.
The questioner : O Allah, amen. May Allah bless you, O honorable Shaykh.
The Shaykh : As for the ma'mum, his right is to keep his voice low in the takbir, the opening supplication, the supplication in prostration, the tasbih, and so on. He is not to raise his voice, because raising his voice disrupts the following of the imam, and because raising his voice causes disturbance to those around him. For this reason, the scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) disliked that anyone should match the imam in the takbir except out of necessity. That is, they disliked that a person should follow the imam in raising his voice for the takbir except out of necessity, such as if the mosque is large and they cannot hear the imam's takbir, in which case someone informs them of it. This is permissible out of necessity, as Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) did when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) came while he was leading the people in prayer. Abu Bakr stood to the right of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) completed the prayer with them, but in a low voice. So Abu Bakr would say the takbir in response to the takbir of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), and the people would follow the voice of Abu Bakr.
So the conclusion is that the ma'mum is prohibited from raising his voice for the takbir, the opening supplication, the supplication in prostration, the tasbih, or anything else. And it is amazing that some people understood from the hadith of Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him):
That the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) used to let them hear the verse sometimes in the Dhuhr or 'Asr prayer.
أن النبي صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم كان يسمعهم الآية أحيانا في صلاة الظهر أو العصرAnd on this occasion, I warn my brothers, the students of knowledge, who have not reached the level of firmness in knowledge, from hastening to understand the texts from the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and then hastening to issue fatwas to people based on this understanding that is built on little knowledge.
And I say to them: Do not hasten for leadership. Wait, for you will have authority if Allah grants you the continuation in seeking knowledge and benefiting from it. For this reason, it is narrated from 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: "Understand the religion before you become leaders", meaning, understand the knowledge first before people make you leaders to whom they turn. And this is the essence of insight and the essence of wisdom.
So be patient, O my brother, student of knowledge. Be patient until you attain your place in knowledge with broad knowledge and sharp understanding, and do not hasten. You may issue a fatwa to people in a matter in which you were misguided, and many people may be misguided by your hand. And perhaps you will return to the truth one day, but you will not be able to cure the wound that occurred due to your first fatwa.
And know that you are coming to your Lord, and He will ask you, "Why did you mislead My servants?" before you exert effort in reaching knowledge, and then in verifying understanding. For the mufti speaks on behalf of Allah and His Messenger. The people of knowledge are the heirs of the prophets; they guide people to good and enjoin good upon people. So you will meet your Lord on the Day of Resurrection, and He will ask you, "Why did you mislead My servants?" before you have reached a place in knowledge that qualifies you to be among the people of fatwa?
I ask Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) to protect us and our brothers from errors, and to guide us to good speech and action.
The questioner : O Allah, amen. May Allah bless you, O honorable Shaykh.