Question:
Some people use the verse ﴿ٱدْعُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًۭا وَخُفْيَةً﴾ — “Call upon your Lord with humility and in private” — as proof for saying Āmīn quietly in prayer. How valid is this reasoning?
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
This reasoning is incorrect. The verse in question is general, and it speaks about the etiquettes of supplication (duʿāʾ) — that it should be made with humility, submission, and in a low voice. Although Sūrat al-Fātiḥah and Āmīn are both forms of supplication, the evidence related to Āmīn in prayer is specific.
① The command to say Āmīn aloud (Āmīn bil-jahr) is supported by specific proofs, while the verse cited is general.
In the principles of jurisprudence, the specific (khāṣṣ) takes precedence over the general (ʿāmm).
② This verse was revealed to the Prophet ﷺ himself, yet the Prophet ﷺ used to say Āmīn aloud in prayer.
The Companions رضي الله عنهم also said Āmīn aloud, as established by authentic evidences.
If this verse were a valid proof for saying Āmīn quietly, then neither the Prophet ﷺ nor his Companions would have pronounced it aloud.
③ None of the reliable Imams or hadith scholars have ever used this verse as evidence for saying Āmīn quietly.
Conclusion:
The verse ﴿ٱدْعُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًۭا وَخُفْيَةً﴾ cannot be used to justify saying Āmīn silently.
It refers to the general manners of supplication outside prayer, whereas the specific practice of the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions proves that Āmīn should be said aloud during the congregational prayer.
Some people use the verse ﴿ٱدْعُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًۭا وَخُفْيَةً﴾ — “Call upon your Lord with humility and in private” — as proof for saying Āmīn quietly in prayer. How valid is this reasoning?
Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
✿ Answer:
This reasoning is incorrect. The verse in question is general, and it speaks about the etiquettes of supplication (duʿāʾ) — that it should be made with humility, submission, and in a low voice. Although Sūrat al-Fātiḥah and Āmīn are both forms of supplication, the evidence related to Āmīn in prayer is specific.
❀ Explanation:
① The command to say Āmīn aloud (Āmīn bil-jahr) is supported by specific proofs, while the verse cited is general.
In the principles of jurisprudence, the specific (khāṣṣ) takes precedence over the general (ʿāmm).
② This verse was revealed to the Prophet ﷺ himself, yet the Prophet ﷺ used to say Āmīn aloud in prayer.
The Companions رضي الله عنهم also said Āmīn aloud, as established by authentic evidences.
If this verse were a valid proof for saying Āmīn quietly, then neither the Prophet ﷺ nor his Companions would have pronounced it aloud.
③ None of the reliable Imams or hadith scholars have ever used this verse as evidence for saying Āmīn quietly.
Conclusion:The verse ﴿ٱدْعُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًۭا وَخُفْيَةً﴾ cannot be used to justify saying Āmīn silently.
It refers to the general manners of supplication outside prayer, whereas the specific practice of the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions proves that Āmīn should be said aloud during the congregational prayer.
