Scholarly Analysis of the Reward Challenge Regarding Saying Āmīn Aloud
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil, Bāb al-Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, p. 170
Question:
A challenge has been announced: “If anyone can prove from the Ṣiḥāḥ Sittah that the Prophet ﷺ said: ‘O people! Say Āmīn aloud in prayer,’ he will be awarded a cash prize of five hundred rupees.”
Is such a challenge valid?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
The reward challenge of five hundred rupees is based on the following three conditions:
① Ḥadīth must be only from the Ṣiḥāḥ Sittah
The narration presented should be exclusively from the Ṣiḥāḥ Sittah, and not from any other book of ḥadīth.
② Ḥadīth must be a verbal statement
The narration must consist of the direct words of the Prophet ﷺ (qawl), not his action (fiʿl) or tacit approval (taqrīr).
③ Ḥadīth must be in the form of a command (amr)
The Prophet ﷺ must have said it explicitly in the command form such as “Do it,” and not in any other wording or style.
Questioning the Conditions:
Now the question arises: Can any Ḥanafī scholar provide rational or textual evidence proving that these three conditions are necessary for establishing a Sharʿī ruling?
If even one of these conditions is absent, does it mean the ruling cannot be proven?
Certainly not.
So why were these conditions set at all?
Contradictory Approach of the Challengers:
Those who impose these conditions themselves cite references from:
- Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah
- al-Sunan al-Kubrā of al-Bayhaqī
- Jāmiʿ al-Masānīd of Imām al-Aʿẓam
Are any of these works included in the Ṣiḥāḥ Sittah?
Absolutely not.
Similarly, if they are asked whether Kanz al-ʿUmmāl or Marāsīl Abī Dāwūd belong to the Ṣiḥāḥ Sittah, their clear answer will be: No, not at all!
Real Meaning of the Challenge:
The very wording of this challenge reveals that:
- Even if the three specific conditions are not met, proof of saying Āmīn aloud still exists.
- The challengers themselves indirectly acknowledge this.
- For acting upon a ruling, such proof is sufficient.
Because:
- It is not a requirement that a narration must be in the Ṣiḥāḥ Sittah.
- Nor is it necessary that the Prophet ﷺ commanded something in explicit imperative form.
- Rather, belief, practice, or speech on any matter is sufficient if it is established through:
✔ The Qurʾān
✔ Any ḥadīth of the Prophet ﷺ – verbal, practical, or tacit approval
✔ From any authentic or ḥasan narration, whether in the Ṣiḥāḥ Sittah or another reliable collection.
A Counter Challenge:
If such reward-based challenges are considered legitimate proof for rulings, then let us also announce:
“If anyone can prove from the Ṣiḥāḥ Sittah that there is an authentic or ḥasan ḥadīth where the Prophet ﷺ said: ‘O people! Say Āmīn silently in prayer,’ he will be awarded one thousand rupees.”
Extending the Principle:
This same principle can be applied to other issues as well, such as:
- Differences in Rafʿ al-Yadayn between men and women
- Differences in sitting posture and prostration between men and women
Hādhā mā ʿindī, wallāhu aʿlam bi-ṣ-ṣawāb.
