Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah

Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) explains the interpretation of Allah Almighty’s statement « وَلَا تَجْهَرْ بِصَلَاتِكَ وَلَا تُخَافِتْ بِهَا » [ سورة الإسراء : 110 ] “Do not recite your prayer in too loud a voice, nor in a very low voice.” This blessed verse was revealed at a time when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was hiding in Makkah Mukarramah. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led his noble companions (may Allah be pleased with them) in prayer, he would recite the Qur’an aloud. In the narration of Janab al-Dawraqi, it is mentioned that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would raise his voice while reciting. Thus, when the polytheists heard the recitation of the Qur’an, they would abuse the Qur’an, its revealer, and the one who brought it. Therefore, Allah Almighty commanded His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) « وَلَا تَجْهَرْ بِصَلَاتِكَ » “Do not make your recitation in a loud voice,” so that the polytheists would not hear it and abuse the Qur’an « وَلَا تُخَافِتْ بِهَا » nor recite in such a low voice that your companions cannot hear you « وَابْتَغِ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا » but adopt a way between the two. In the narration of Janab al-Dawraqi, it is mentioned that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would not keep his voice so low with his companions that they could not hear his recitation. Imam Abu Bakr (may Allah have mercy on him) says that this narration is related to the kind of thing about which I have already explained in the Book of Faith, that sometimes the application of a name is made to one part or branch of a thing that has various parts and branches. In this narration, Allah Almighty has applied the term “prayer” only to recitation « وَلَا تَجْهَرْ بِصَلَاتِكَ » “Do not raise your recitation.” Here, by “prayer” (salat), only recitation is meant, not the entire prayer.