The Ruling on Raising One’s Voice in Supplication and Dhikr
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Q228: The questioner asks: What is the ruling on raising one’s voice in supplication and dhikr in general, and specifically after the prayers? Is one given the choice between doing it secretly or aloud?
A228: As for the dhikr that is transmitted and well-known from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), a person is given the choice between raising his voice with it or keeping it to himself. Allah the Exalted said:[Al-A'raf 7:55], and Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) knows the secret and what is even more hidden.
So you may supplicate secretly, and you may supplicate aloud, except if raising your voice results in harming those behind you, such as those who are sleeping, or those who are praying, or those who are reciting the Qur'an; in that case, you keep it to yourself. Or, for example, if you fear for yourself regarding showing off (riya') and seeking fame, then you keep the supplication to yourself, for that is more conducive to sincerity. Raising one's voice should be noted as not being a collective voice, as some people do; rather, each person supplicates for himself, either secretly or aloud. As for collective supplication and collective voice, that is a religious innovation (bid'ah). As for the dhikr after the prayer, it is a recommended practice (sunnah) to raise one's voice with it, according to what has come in the authentic hadiths; because the Companions used to raise their voices in supplication and dhikr after the prayer. The seeking of forgiveness three times: "O Allah, You are Peace and from You comes peace. Blessed are You, O Owner of Majesty and Honor." "There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise," up to the end of the transmitted dhikr. These are recited aloud, but in an individual manner, not in a collective manner as we mentioned. For collective dhikr is among the innovations. Rather, each person raises his own voice, and raises his voice with that after the prayer. As for supplication, as we mentioned previously, one supplicates secretly and aloud, before the prayer and after it, while observing good conduct and observing the avoidance of harming others.
A228: As for the dhikr that is transmitted and well-known from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), a person is given the choice between raising his voice with it or keeping it to himself. Allah the Exalted said:
Call upon your Lord in humility and privately
ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةًSo you may supplicate secretly, and you may supplicate aloud, except if raising your voice results in harming those behind you, such as those who are sleeping, or those who are praying, or those who are reciting the Qur'an; in that case, you keep it to yourself. Or, for example, if you fear for yourself regarding showing off (riya') and seeking fame, then you keep the supplication to yourself, for that is more conducive to sincerity. Raising one's voice should be noted as not being a collective voice, as some people do; rather, each person supplicates for himself, either secretly or aloud. As for collective supplication and collective voice, that is a religious innovation (bid'ah). As for the dhikr after the prayer, it is a recommended practice (sunnah) to raise one's voice with it, according to what has come in the authentic hadiths; because the Companions used to raise their voices in supplication and dhikr after the prayer. The seeking of forgiveness three times: "O Allah, You are Peace and from You comes peace. Blessed are You, O Owner of Majesty and Honor." "There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise," up to the end of the transmitted dhikr. These are recited aloud, but in an individual manner, not in a collective manner as we mentioned. For collective dhikr is among the innovations. Rather, each person raises his own voice, and raises his voice with that after the prayer. As for supplication, as we mentioned previously, one supplicates secretly and aloud, before the prayer and after it, while observing good conduct and observing the avoidance of harming others.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.