Raising the Voice in Weeping

Q: What is Your Eminence’s opinion regarding the phenomenon of raising one’s voice in weeping?

A: I have advised many of those who called me to be cautious of this matter, and that it is not appropriate; because this harms people, burdens them, and disturbs the worshippers and the reciter. What the believer should strive for is not to let his voice be heard in weeping, and he should beware of showing off (riya’), for Satan may lead him to showing off. He should not harm anyone with his voice, nor disturb them.
It is known that some people do not do this by choice, but it overcomes them unintentionally, and this is excused if it is not by their choice. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that when he recited, there would be a sound from his chest like the sound of a boiling cauldron due to weeping. It was reported in the story of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) that when he recited, people could not hear him because of the weeping. It was also reported from 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that his sobbing could be heard from behind the rows, but this does not mean that he intentionally raised his voice in weeping; rather, it was something that overcame him out of fear of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) .
So if weeping overcomes him unintentionally, there is no blame on him for that.