Majma al-Zawaid — Hadith 3599

Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: When Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) recited, he would keep his voice low; Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to recite aloud; and when Sayyiduna Ammar (may Allah be pleased with him) recited, he would read part of one surah and then read from another surah. This was mentioned to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), so he asked Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him): "Why do you recite in a low voice?" He replied: "I make the One with whom I am conversing hear me." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): "Why do you recite aloud?" He replied: "I drive away Satan and wake up the sleeper." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked Sayyiduna Ammar (may Allah be pleased with him): "Why do you read one surah and then another?" He replied: "Have you ever heard me add words that are not part of it?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "No." He said: "Then all of it (all these surahs) is pure and good."
Ahmad recorded it, and its narrators are thiqat (trustworthy).