Seeking Assistance From Other Than Allah

Proof from the Qur’an to say Amin quietly behind the Imam

Hafidh Ibn Kathir writes:

When someone finishes reciting surat-ul-Fatiha, it is preferable to say Amin.

Amin means “Oh Allah, accept our du’a”

There is proof from the Qur’an that Amin is a du’a. For example, Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur’an that Prophet Musa (May Allah be pleased with Him) prayed to Allah by saying:

"Oh Allah, destroy the wealth of Pharaoh"

(Surah Yunus: Verse 87)

The Prophet Musa’ brother Haroon (May Allah be pleased with Him) was standing beside him and said Amin. Allah accepted their du’a by saying:
"I except both of your du’as" (Surah Yunus: 89)
The Prophet Musa (May Allah be pleased with Him) supplicated to Allah whereas Haroon only said Amin. But Allah attributed the du’a to both of them.
This proves that Amin is a du’a.

(Tafsir Ibn Kathir. Under Surah Fatihah)

Qadhi Shawkani and Imam Qurtubi also write, in the interpretation of Surah Fatihah, that Amin is a du’a.

(Qurtabi and Fathul Qadeer under surah Fatiha)

Now that it has been proved that Amin is a dua, we should supplicate quietly to Allah. Proof from the Qur’an and Sunnah show that du’a should be recited quietly.

Proof from the Qur’an and Sunnah that du’a should be recited quietly

Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur’an:

“Invoke your lord with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors.” (Surah al-a’raf: 55)
It is proved from the above verse that all should supplicate to Allah with humility and secrecy.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“And remembering your lord by your tongue and within yourself, humbly and with fear without loudness in words.” (Surah al-a’raf: 205)
Qadhi Shawkaani writes:
In the above verse the word “remember” means du’a and du’a should be said secretly.
(Fath ul qadeer. Under verse 205 Surah al-a’raf)
Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur’an:
“This is a mention of mercy of your Lord to his slave Zakariyya. When he called out his Lord (Allah) – a call in secret.

(Surah Maryam: 2-3)

Proof from Hadith for doing du’a secretly

Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal writes:

The Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that Allah Ta’ala is pleased with those who remember him secretly.

(Musnad Ahmad, narration of Saad bin Abi Waqqaas, volume 1 p.172)

It is proven from the Qur’an and Sunnah that du’a should be supplicated to Allah quietly and as Amin is also a du’a so it should be said quietly also. That is the reason why all du’as are read silently. For example Thanaa, Takbeer, Ta’awwudh, Tasbeeh, Tashahhud, salutation and the final sitting’s du’a are all read silently, so Amin should also be included in the above. The reason why the Imam says the Takbeer loudly is only to inform his followers that he is moving from one position to another.

Proof from Hadith to say Amin quietly

Imam Muslim and Imam Bukhari write:

The Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that when the Imam says “Waladdaalleen”then you must say Amin because the Angels also say Amin and whosoever’s Amin coincides with that of an Angel, their past sins will be forgiven.
(Bukhai and Muslim Chapter on Ta’meen)
There are two ways in which Amin can be similar to the angels’ Amin:
1) To say Amin with the Imam

2. 
   To say Amin silently because the angels say Amin with the Imam and also silently.
   

If someone proclaims Amin loudly it would not be similar to the Angels’ as no one hears the Angels.

Imam Muslim writes:
Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that when the Imam says “Sami’allaahu liman Hamidah” you should say “Rabbanaa lakal Hamd”. Whoever’s Tahmeed becomes similar to the Angels’, their past sins would be forgiven.

(Muslim Bab Ta’meen)

The Hadith of Amin and Tahmeed are written under the same chapter.
Both of these Hadith mention that whosoever’s Amin or Tahmeed coincides with that of the Angels’ their past sins will be forgiven. It is clear now that Amin should be said as “Rabbanaa lakal hamd” i.e. silently and individually, without rhythm.
Imam Nasaa’ee writes:
The Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that when the Imam says “Waladdaalleen”, you should say “Amin”. This is because the angels and the Imam also say Amin. Whosoever’s Amin coincides with the Angels’, his past sins would be forgiven.
(Nasaa’ee, Ibn Maajah, Daarimi, chapter Tahmeed, musnad Ahmad narration of Abu Hurairah)
This Hadith proves that Amin should be said as the Imam says his Amin. No one hears the Imam’s Amin, so no one should hear the follower’s Amin. The Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) has also ordered us to follow the Imam, so we should say Amin quietly.

One doubt

Some people claim that the Imam should say Amin loudly.

Imam Dar Qutni writes:
Wyle said that the Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) led the Salaah and read Amin loudly.
(Tirmidhi and Dar Qutni, chapter Ta’meen)
This Hadith provides evidence that Amin should be said loudly. There is also another Hadith which Imam Dar Qutni wrote:
It is reported by Abu Hurairah that The Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) led the Salaah and said Amin loudly.

(Dar Qutni, chapter Ta’meen)

There is also a third Hadith which is reported by Umm Haseen:
She said that the Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) read the Salaah and said Amin loudly.

(Zalee, Chapter on Ta’meen)

All the above narrations prove that the Imam should say Amin loudly and the followers should also say Amin loudly.
We clear this doubt by saying

• 
  That Bukhari or Muslim did not write the above narrations.
  
• 
  Secondly, all these narrations prove that the Imam says Amin loudly sometimes.
  
• 
  Thirdly, the Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) said Amin loudly sometimes.
  
• 
  Fourthly, the Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) said Amin loudly so that his followers would know that after “Waladdaalleen”, “Amin” should be said.
  
• 
  Fifthly, these narrations cannot be used as evidence because they are not authentic.