What is meant by His — Exalted be He — saying: "And do not be loud in your prayer or 1 quiet in it, but seek a way between that"? 2 What is the ruling on one who prays an audible prayer alone or as an

In this verse, Allah commanded His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) neither to say his prayer aloud nor to say it in a low voice. Commentators have differed on the meaning of "prayer" in the verse. Some said it refers to supplication (du'a), while others said it refers to the recitation of the Quran in prayer. The general meaning is: "Do not recite your prayer aloud, nor in a low voice."

This verse was revealed in Mecca when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was concealing his call, and he used to raise his voice with the Quran during his prayers. The polytheists would then revile the Quran and its revealer. So, the divine command "nor say your prayer aloud" came so that the polytheists would not hear and revile the Quran, and "nor say it in a low voice" so that the Companions would not be deprived of hearing and receiving the Quran. The meaning of "but seek a way between them" is between audibility and inaudibility.

As for the ruling on audible recitation in audible prayers (Fajr, Jumu'ah, Maghrib, Isha, and supererogatory night prayers), it is a Sunnah according to the most preponderant opinion, and some said it is obligatory in prescribed prayers. As for silent recitation in daytime prayers, it is a Sunnah.

For one who does not recite audibly in the prescribed audible prayer, whether he is an imam or praying alone, some scholars hold that he should perform a prostration of forgetfulness (sujood as-sahw) before the salutation (taslim), while others do not consider it obligatory. As for the congregant (ma'moom), he does not recite audibly, and he is not required to perform a prostration of forgetfulness.