Mukhtasar Bukhari

‘Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with both of them) said: This verse was revealed when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was in Makkah, hiding out of fear of the disbelievers. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) led his companions in prayer, he would recite the Qur’an aloud. When the polytheists heard it, they would speak ill of the Qur’an, the One who revealed it, and the one who brought it. At that time, Allah Almighty commanded His Prophet (peace be upon him): “Do not recite your prayer in a very loud voice,” meaning, do not recite (the Qur’an) in such a loud voice that the polytheists hear and speak ill of it, “nor in a very low voice,” so that your companions (followers) cannot hear you, “but seek a way between that,” (i.e., recite in a moderate voice). (Al-Isra: 110)