Is the absence of crying during Tarawih prayer, despite feeling shivers and not being preoccupied with worldly matters, considered evidence of a hardened heart or does it entail sin, and is it permissible for worshipers to cry out loud?

People vary in how they are affected by listening to the Qur'an. Some feel their hearts tremble and their bodies shiver without their eyes shedding tears, and this is good, based on the words of Allah Almighty: "Indeed, the believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts tremble, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord they rely." (Al-Anfal: 2). Others feel their hearts tremble and their eyes overflow with tears, and this is more complete, provided it is free from hypocrisy. Being affected by the Qur'an and shivering without crying is considered a lower rank, and to advance, a Muslim strives with four things: the Qur'an being a healing for what is in the chests, faith and righteous deeds, avoiding sins, and repentance and seeking forgiveness.

As for crying during prayer, the Hanafis hold that if it is due to pain or a calamity, the prayer is invalidated because it is like speech. However, if it is due to the remembrance of Paradise or Hell, the prayer is not invalidated, as it enhances humility. The Malikis believe that crying without a sound does not invalidate the prayer, but if it is with a sound and is voluntary, it is invalidated. If crying overwhelms one out of humility, it is not invalidated. The Shafi'is hold that if two letters emerge from crying, the prayer is invalidated, even if it is out of fear of the Hereafter. The Hanbalis believe that crying or moaning out of fear, even if two letters become apparent, does not invalidate the prayer because it is akin to dhikr (remembrance of Allah).