What is the ruling on the imam deliberately raising his voice during the five daily prayers when there is no fear of fitna, and is it permissible to raise one's voice in glorification (tasbih) during bowing and prostration?
According to the majority of scholars (Malikis, Shafi'is, and Hanbalis), it is a Sunnah (prophetic tradition) for the Imam to recite aloud in places where loud recitation is prescribed, and to recite silently in places where silent recitation is prescribed. This is based on the Prophet's actions. There is no harm in occasionally reciting aloud in a silent prayer for the sake of a verse or similar reason. The Hanafis, however, consider loud and silent recitation in their respective places to be obligatory.
The majority of scholars agree that abandoning loud recitation where it is prescribed, or silent recitation where it is prescribed, is disliked (makrooh) or contrary to what is superior (khilaf al-awla). However, the prayer remains valid, and it does not necessitate sujood as-sahw (prostration of forgetfulness) according to them.
The madhhabs differ on what results from reciting aloud in a place of silent recitation, or vice versa: - The Hanafis and some Hanbalis say that it necessitates sujood as-sahw. - The Shafi'is and another view among the Hanbalis say that it does not necessitate sujood as-sahw. - The Malikis say that loud recitation in a place of silent recitation necessitates sujood as-sahw after the tasleem (salutation), and silent recitation in a place of loud recitation necessitates sujood as-sahw before the tasleem. However, no sujood is required if the loud or silent recitation was minor.
As for tasbeeh (glorification) in ruku' (bowing) and sujood (prostration), it is Sunnah to recite it silently by consensus of the scholars.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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