Imam Reciting Aloud in Dhuhr Prayer

Authored by: Sheikh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafizahullah)

Question:

Is there any authentic Hadith proving that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) sometimes recited one or two verses aloud in Dhuhr prayer for the companions to hear? If this is true, why is this practice not commonly followed today? Can it be termed a "dead Sunnah," considering that Sunnah never dies but is simply abandoned? Please provide clarification.

Answer:

Abu Qatadah (رضي الله عنه) narrated:

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to recite Surah Al-Fatihah and additional Surahs in the first two rak‘ahs of Dhuhr prayer, and in the last two rak‘ahs, he would only recite Surah Al-Fatihah. Occasionally, he would let us hear one or two verses. Additionally, he would recite longer in the first rak‘ah compared to the second. He applied the same practice for the Asr and Fajr prayers.

[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Adhan: Chapter on Reciting Surah Al-Fatihah in the Last Two Rak‘ahs (#776)]
[Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Salah: Chapter on Recitation in Dhuhr and Asr Prayers (#451)]

Explanation:

This authentic Hadith demonstrates that it is permissible to occasionally recite one or two verses aloud during the Dhuhr prayer, which is usually prayed silently. However, the wording of the Hadith indicates that this was not a regular practice of the Prophet (ﷺ). If it were obligatory or consistent, he (ﷺ) would have done it more frequently.

It remains permissible to let one or two verses be heard occasionally even today. The concept of a "dead Sunnah" refers to a practice of the Prophet (ﷺ) that has been abandoned by the people. Such practices should be revived to remind the Muslim community of the complete way of the Prophet (ﷺ).

However, it is important to note that reviving a Sunnah that the Shari‘ah has not emphasized should not lead to unnecessary rigidity or division among the Muslim Ummah. Balance and wisdom should be maintained in reviving and adhering to Sunnah practices.

Key Points:

  1. Occasional Recitation in Dhuhr Prayer:
    • Proven from authentic Hadith.
    • Permissible but not obligatory.
  2. Reviving a "Dead Sunnah":
    • Refers to reintroducing a Sunnah abandoned by people.
    • Should be done without causing division.
  3. Avoiding Extremism:
    • Practices not emphasized in Shari‘ah should not become a source of conflict.
 
Back
Top