Authored by: Shaykh Mubashar Ahmad Rabbani (Hafizahullah)
"Abu Saeed (Al-Khudri) led us in prayer and pronounced the takbeer loudly when he raised his head from prostration, when he prostrated, and when he stood up from the two rak'ahs (after Tashahhud). He said, 'I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) praying like this.'”
[Sahih Bukhari, Book of Adhan: Chapter on Takbeer While Rising from Prostration, Hadith 865]
It is further narrated by Saeed bin Al-Harith:
"When Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) was absent or unwell, Abu Saeed Al-Khudri (رضي الله عنه) led us in prayer and pronounced takbeer loudly at the beginning of the prayer, during bowing, upon saying 'Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah,' and between the two rak'ahs, continuing like this until he completed the prayer. When some people expressed disagreement about his prayer, he stood by the pulpit and said, 'O people! By Allah, I do not care whether your prayers differ or not. This is how I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) praying.'"
[Al-Mustadrak ala Al-Sahihain 844; Al-Sunan Al-Kubra, Book of Salah: Chapter on Loud Takbeer by the Imam]
This Hadith demonstrates that the practice of pronouncing the takbeer loudly by the Imam was sometimes questioned. However, Abu Saeed Al-Khudri (رضي الله عنه) upheld the Prophet’s practice and disregarded such objections, emphasizing that this was the correct Sunnah.
"During the Prophet’s illness, he instructed that Abu Bakr should lead the prayer. Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) would pronounce the takbeer loudly so the people could hear it."
[Sahih Bukhari, Book of Adhan: Chapter on Making the Imam's Takbeer Audible, Hadith 712; Sahih Muslim, Book of Salah, Hadith 418]
Additionally, Jabir (رضي الله عنه) narrates:
"We prayed behind the Prophet (ﷺ) while he was seated, and Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) would relay the Prophet's takbeer loudly to the people."
[Sahih Muslim, Book of Salah, Hadith 413; Musnad Ahmad, Volume 3, Hadith 334]
"While I was praying with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), a man sneezed, and I said, 'May Allah have mercy on you.' People started staring at me, and I said, 'What is the matter with you?' They began hitting their thighs to silence me, so I became quiet. When the prayer ended, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Indeed, this prayer is not for ordinary speech but for glorifying Allah, proclaiming His greatness, and reciting the Qur'an.'”
[Sahih Muslim, Book of Mosques: Chapter on the Prohibition of Speaking During Prayer, Hadith 537]
This Hadith clearly indicates that a follower must maintain silence during prayer, except in cases where specific evidence exists to permit audible recitation.
"Establish prayer for My remembrance."
[Surah Taha: 14]
"Remember your Lord within yourself with humility and in fear, without being loud, in the morning and evening."
[Surah Al-A’raf: 205]
These verses establish that quiet remembrance is the default principle unless loud recitation is required for certain reasons, such as informing others (e.g., during the Imam’s takbeer or the Adhan).
May Allah grant us steadfastness in following the Qur'an and Sunnah and protect us from deviation.
Ameen!
Question:
The Imam says "Allahu Akbar" and "Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah" loudly, whereas the followers (Muqtadis) say these quietly. If you claim adherence to the Qur'an and Hadith, can you provide evidence from these sources to justify this practice?Answer:
Prayer is one of the most important acts of worship, and its method has been taught to us by the noble Messenger (ﷺ). When the Prophet (ﷺ) led prayers, he would recite the takbeer (saying "Allahu Akbar") aloud, as narrated in the Hadith of Saeed bin Al-Harith bin Al-Mualla:"Abu Saeed (Al-Khudri) led us in prayer and pronounced the takbeer loudly when he raised his head from prostration, when he prostrated, and when he stood up from the two rak'ahs (after Tashahhud). He said, 'I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) praying like this.'”
[Sahih Bukhari, Book of Adhan: Chapter on Takbeer While Rising from Prostration, Hadith 865]
It is further narrated by Saeed bin Al-Harith:
"When Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) was absent or unwell, Abu Saeed Al-Khudri (رضي الله عنه) led us in prayer and pronounced takbeer loudly at the beginning of the prayer, during bowing, upon saying 'Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah,' and between the two rak'ahs, continuing like this until he completed the prayer. When some people expressed disagreement about his prayer, he stood by the pulpit and said, 'O people! By Allah, I do not care whether your prayers differ or not. This is how I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) praying.'"
[Al-Mustadrak ala Al-Sahihain 844; Al-Sunan Al-Kubra, Book of Salah: Chapter on Loud Takbeer by the Imam]
This Hadith demonstrates that the practice of pronouncing the takbeer loudly by the Imam was sometimes questioned. However, Abu Saeed Al-Khudri (رضي الله عنه) upheld the Prophet’s practice and disregarded such objections, emphasizing that this was the correct Sunnah.
Evidence for Loud Pronunciation by the Imam
The Prophet’s (ﷺ) practice was for the Imam to recite loudly in order to guide the followers. Even during the Prophet’s illness, Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) acted as the Imam and made the takbeer audible for others:"During the Prophet’s illness, he instructed that Abu Bakr should lead the prayer. Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) would pronounce the takbeer loudly so the people could hear it."
[Sahih Bukhari, Book of Adhan: Chapter on Making the Imam's Takbeer Audible, Hadith 712; Sahih Muslim, Book of Salah, Hadith 418]
Additionally, Jabir (رضي الله عنه) narrates:
"We prayed behind the Prophet (ﷺ) while he was seated, and Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) would relay the Prophet's takbeer loudly to the people."
[Sahih Muslim, Book of Salah, Hadith 413; Musnad Ahmad, Volume 3, Hadith 334]
Evidence for Quiet Recitation by the Followers
Conversely, it is the follower's duty to remain silent and avoid raising their voice. This principle is demonstrated in the Hadith of Mu’awiyah bin Al-Hakam Al-Sulami:"While I was praying with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), a man sneezed, and I said, 'May Allah have mercy on you.' People started staring at me, and I said, 'What is the matter with you?' They began hitting their thighs to silence me, so I became quiet. When the prayer ended, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Indeed, this prayer is not for ordinary speech but for glorifying Allah, proclaiming His greatness, and reciting the Qur'an.'”
[Sahih Muslim, Book of Mosques: Chapter on the Prohibition of Speaking During Prayer, Hadith 537]
This Hadith clearly indicates that a follower must maintain silence during prayer, except in cases where specific evidence exists to permit audible recitation.
Qur'anic Evidence
The Qur'an also provides general guidance for quiet remembrance of Allah, unless there is specific evidence to make it loud:"Establish prayer for My remembrance."
[Surah Taha: 14]
"Remember your Lord within yourself with humility and in fear, without being loud, in the morning and evening."
[Surah Al-A’raf: 205]
These verses establish that quiet remembrance is the default principle unless loud recitation is required for certain reasons, such as informing others (e.g., during the Imam’s takbeer or the Adhan).
Summary of the Evidence
- The Imam pronounces takbeer aloud to notify the followers of changes in the prayer position.
- The followers (Muqtadis) quietly repeat the takbeer and maintain silence during other parts of the prayer.
- The quiet recitation by the followers aligns with the general principle of prayer being a personal act of devotion to Allah.
Conclusion
The difference in recitation between the Imam and the followers is established through both Qur'anic and Prophetic guidance. These distinctions ensure the proper execution of congregational prayer while maintaining the solemnity and purpose of Salah.May Allah grant us steadfastness in following the Qur'an and Sunnah and protect us from deviation.
Ameen!