Is It Permissible to Raise One’s Voice in the Mosque?
Excerpt from: Aḥkām al-Masājid by Shaykh Muḥammad Munīr Qamar
❖ General Ruling
Among the etiquettes of the mosque is that voices should not be raised within it. If a person needs to speak about something permissible, it should be done in a low and respectful tone, keeping in mind the sanctity of the mosque.
✔ Evidence from Ḥadīth
1. Report of al-Sāʾib ibn Yazīd رضي الله عنه
He said:
((كنت قائما فى المسجد فحصبني رجل فنظرت فإذا هو عمر بن الخطاب...))
“I was standing in the mosque when a man threw pebbles at me. I turned and saw it was ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه. He said: ‘Bring me those two men.’ When they were brought, he asked them where they were from. They replied: ‘From Ṭāʾif.’ He said: ‘Had you been from our city, I would have punished you, for you raise your voices in the Mosque of the Messenger ﷺ.’”
— Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1/470; Fatḥ al-Bārī 1/560
Ibn Ḥajar explained that although this is ʿUmar’s action, its ruling is like that of a marfūʿ ḥadīth, since ʿUmar would not threaten punishment unless the prohibition was originally from the Prophet ﷺ.
2. ʿUmar’s statement through Nāfiʿ:
((لا تكثروا اللغط … إن مسجدنا هذا لا يرفع فيه الصوت))
“Do not make noise… In this mosque of ours, voices are not to be raised.”
— Fatḥ al-Bārī 1/560
3. Report in al-Muwaṭṭaʾ:
ʿUmar رضي الله عنه built an open area beside the mosque (al-Buṭayḥāʾ) and said:
“Whoever wants to talk loudly, recite poetry, or argue, let him go there.”
— Fatḥ al-Bārī 13/156; al-Muwaṭṭaʾ of Mālik
✔ Weak but Supportive Aḥādīth
Some narrations also prohibit raising the voice in mosques explicitly, such as:
((جنبوا مساجدكم.. رفع أصواتكم))
“Keep your mosques away from… raising voices.”
— Ibn Mājah, Ṭabarānī, ʿAbd al-Razzāq; graded ḍaʿīf but strengthened by supporting chains (al-Albānī, al-Irwāʾ 7/361–362)
✔ Views of the Scholars
- Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr and Imām Mālik: Raising voices in mosques, even for teaching, is disliked if it causes disturbance.
- Imām Abū Ḥanīfah: Allowed raising the voice in the mosque for teaching knowledge, based on evidence.
- Imām al-Bukhārī: In his chapter Bāb Rafʿ al-Ṣawt fī al-Masjid, included both narrations — prohibiting noise and permitting raised voices in specific cases (like settling disputes) — to show balance.
✔ Case of Teaching and Dispute Settlement
- Teaching: If necessary, the teacher may raise his voice so students can hear, provided it does not cause chaos.
- Dispute Settlement: The ḥadīth of Kaʿb ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه and Ibn Abī Ḥadr رضي الله عنه disputing a debt shows that voices were raised in the mosque. The Prophet ﷺ heard them from his home and resolved the matter without objection.
— Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1/551–561
Thus, moderate raising of voice for a genuine purpose (like teaching or resolving disputes) is permissible.
✿ Conclusion
- Raising the voice in mosques unnecessarily is prohibited and against etiquette.
- Noise, shouting, slogans, and chants — especially during Friday sermons or gatherings — are impermissible.
- Teaching or settling matters may sometimes require a higher voice, which is allowed if done with dignity and without disturbing worshippers.
- Always preserve the sanctity and tranquility of the mosque.
