Softly and loudly

An Imam must do Qiraat (recite) loudly in the Salaah of Fajr, Maghrib and 'Isha. It must be loud enough for the Musallis of the first Saff to hear him. He must not recite louder than necessary. He must adjust his Qiraat proportionate to the number of Musalli. It is not right to recite too loudly when there are just few Musallis who hardly fill the Saff. To recite so loudly that causes tiredness to him or hardship to others is not good/right.

A person who performs Salaah individually has the right to recite aloud in those Salaah where Qiraat is done aloud just as he has the choice to recite softly. However, reciting softly does not mean reciting in the mind. Sometimes, it is noticed that some people do not move their lips at all. It implies that they do not recite. Yet, reciting in one's mind in instances where one should recite, is not valid. One must at least recite in an audible tone. Reciting audibly is achieved by the movement of the mouth and lips. Thus, a recitation without lip movement is no recitation. Thus, the Salaah also will not be valid.

Likewise, one must begin Salaah by saying Takbeer in a tone that one can hear. Otherwise one's Salaah will not even begin. Thus, everything that one will recite and do next will be in vain.

The same principle applies when one recites Bismillah to make Zabah. The person must say it in a tone that he himself can hear. Otherwise it will be as if one did not even recite Bismillah and it will not be permissible to consume this flesh.

[English version of "Doucement et fort" – Al Jamiat – Vol.6 No.14]