❀ 4 Rulings Regarding Responding to Specific Verses During Salah ❀
Based on: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Vol. 1, Kitāb aṣ-Ṣalāh, Page 401
Some narrations mention responding to specific verses of the Qur’ān during ṣalāh—such as glorifying, supplicating, or seeking protection.
Is this practice valid?
If yes, is it only allowed for the Imām, or can the followers (muqtadīs) also respond?
And should it be done audibly or silently?
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd!
A sound ḥadīth in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim states:
“When the Prophet ﷺ recited a verse in which there was tasbīḥ (glorification), he would glorify Allah.
When he recited a verse of supplication, he would supplicate.
When he recited a verse of seeking refuge, he would seek refuge.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb Ṣalāt al-Musāfirīn, Ḥadīth 772)
This was done during night prayer (tahajjud), which implies voluntary prayers, not obligatory ones.
Narrations with authentic chains report similar actions from the Companions, such as:
During Jumuʿah prayer, when he recited:
"سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الْأَعْلَىٰ"
he said aloud:
"سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَىٰ"
(Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah, Vol. 2, Page 508, Ḥadīth 8640 – Ṣaḥīḥ sanad)
Similar responses are reported from them during recitation in prayer.
(Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah, Vol. 2, Page 509, Ḥadīth 8643 & 8647 – Both with Ṣaḥīḥ isnād)
✔ The Imām may, occasionally, respond to certain verses during a loud (jahri) prayer—such as Jumuʿah, Fajr, or Maghrib—by:
This can be done in a low or audible voice, and is supported by precedent from the Companions.
✘ There is no clear evidence that followers (muqtadīs) should respond to verses in ṣalāh.
✔ Their only obligation during loud prayers is to recite Sūrat al-Fātiḥah behind the Imām.
✘ They should not speak or respond to other verses aloud or even silently beyond the required recitation.
✔ Responding to certain verses (tasbīḥ, duʿāʾ, istiʿādhah) in ṣalāh is established from the Prophet ﷺ in voluntary night prayers, and from Companions during loud obligatory prayers.
✔ Imāms may occasionally do this with Arabic phrases, either audibly or softly, especially in jahri ṣalāh.
✘ Followers (muqtadīs) should remain silent during recitation, apart from reading Sūrat al-Fātiḥah.
Fatwā issued in Shahādat, February 2000
ھٰذا ما عندي، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
Based on: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Vol. 1, Kitāb aṣ-Ṣalāh, Page 401
❖ Question:
Some narrations mention responding to specific verses of the Qur’ān during ṣalāh—such as glorifying, supplicating, or seeking protection.
Is this practice valid?
If yes, is it only allowed for the Imām, or can the followers (muqtadīs) also respond?
And should it be done audibly or silently?
✿ Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd!
✦ ① Practice of the Prophet ﷺ
A sound ḥadīth in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim states:
“When the Prophet ﷺ recited a verse in which there was tasbīḥ (glorification), he would glorify Allah.
When he recited a verse of supplication, he would supplicate.
When he recited a verse of seeking refuge, he would seek refuge.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb Ṣalāt al-Musāfirīn, Ḥadīth 772)
This was done during night prayer (tahajjud), which implies voluntary prayers, not obligatory ones.✦ ② Practice of the Companions
Narrations with authentic chains report similar actions from the Companions, such as:
✔ Abū Mūsā al-Ashʿarī رضي الله عنه
During Jumuʿah prayer, when he recited:
"سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الْأَعْلَىٰ"
he said aloud:
"سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَىٰ"
(Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah, Vol. 2, Page 508, Ḥadīth 8640 – Ṣaḥīḥ sanad)
✔ ʿImrān ibn Ḥuṣayn and ʿAbdullāh ibn az-Zubayr رضي الله عنهما
Similar responses are reported from them during recitation in prayer.
(Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah, Vol. 2, Page 509, Ḥadīth 8643 & 8647 – Both with Ṣaḥīḥ isnād)
✦ ③ Ruling for the Imām
✔ The Imām may, occasionally, respond to certain verses during a loud (jahri) prayer—such as Jumuʿah, Fajr, or Maghrib—by:
- Glorifying when a verse of tasbīḥ is recited
- Supplicating when a verse of duʿāʾ is recited
- Seeking refuge when a verse of istiʿādhah is recited
This can be done in a low or audible voice, and is supported by precedent from the Companions.✦ ④ Ruling for the Muqtadī (Follower)
✘ There is no clear evidence that followers (muqtadīs) should respond to verses in ṣalāh.
✔ Their only obligation during loud prayers is to recite Sūrat al-Fātiḥah behind the Imām.
✘ They should not speak or respond to other verses aloud or even silently beyond the required recitation.
Final Summary:
✔ Responding to certain verses (tasbīḥ, duʿāʾ, istiʿādhah) in ṣalāh is established from the Prophet ﷺ in voluntary night prayers, and from Companions during loud obligatory prayers.
✔ Imāms may occasionally do this with Arabic phrases, either audibly or softly, especially in jahri ṣalāh.
✘ Followers (muqtadīs) should remain silent during recitation, apart from reading Sūrat al-Fātiḥah.
Fatwā issued in Shahādat, February 2000ھٰذا ما عندي، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
