What are the audible and inaudible words that should be said in the obligatory prayer?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

An observer of prayer is either an Imaam (i.e. leads others in prayer), is led by an Imaam or prays alone. For each of them there are some words to be said audibly and others inaudibly, as follows:

1- It is recommended that the Imaam audibly says the Takbeerat Al-Ihraam (i.e. saying: Allaahu Akbar at the beginning of prayer), according to the majority of scholars. On the other hand, most scholars are of the opinion that it should be inaudibly recited when one is led by an Imaam or prays alone.

2- It is recommended that the Imaam audibly recites the Soorah of Al-Faatihah and another part of the Quran during the Fajr (i.e. morning) prayer as well as the first two Rak‘ahs of the Maghrib (i.e. sunset) and ‘Ishaa’ (i.e. night) prayers. Scholars unanimously agree that this is recommended for the Imaam as well as for the one who prays alone. Some scholars, such as the Hanafi scholars, are of the opinion that it is obligatory. According to a third group of scholars, one who prays alone has the option to either audibly or inaudibly recite.

Both are permitted to audibly recite some verses during the inaudible prayer. It was narrated on the authority of Abu Qataadah that he said: "The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to lead us in prayer and recite in the first two Rak‘ahs of the Thuhr (i.e. noon) and ‘Asr (i.e. afternoon) prayers the Soorah of Al-Faatihah and two other Soorahs. He would sometimes audibly recite …" [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

However, one should not audibly recite when he prays behind an Imaam in order not to confuse him or other worshippers. It was narrated on the authority of ‘Umraan ibn Husayn that he said: "The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, led us in the Thuhr or ‘Asr prayer and then said: 'Who behind me among you said: Sabih Isma Rabbika Al A‘la?' A man said: 'Me, but I only desired good (in doing so).' 'I knew that some of you confused me therewith,' replied the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam." [Muslim]

Commenting on this Hadeeth, An-Nawawi said: "This means that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, rebuked what this man did, as it was heard by others. However, this does not mean rebuking the recitation itself."

3- It is recommended for the Imaam to audibly say Takbeer (i.e. saying: Allaahu Akbar) when moving from one position to another, such as Rukoo‘ (i.e. bowing), Sujood (i.e. prostration), and when saying: "Sami‘ Allaahu liman Hamida (i.e. Allaah Hears the one who praises Him)" when rising from Rukoo’. There is a consensus among scholars in this regard. Saying this inaudibly was adopted only by those who adopted what was transmitted from ‘Uthmaan, Mu‘aawiyah, Ziyaad and then followed by the rest of the Umayyads. Ash-Shawkaani said: "According to the majority of scholars, it is recommended for one who prays behind an Imaam as well as the one who prays alone to inaudibly say Takbeer in prayer. Only when other worshipers cannot hear the Takbeer of the Imaam can one or more, or as many as needed, of those who pray behind him audibly say Takbeer in order to make others hear. As evidence, it was narrated on the authority of Jaabir that he said: 'The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was sick and we prayed behind him while he was sitting. Abu Bakr was audibly repeating Takbeer to be heard by the people.' The wording of another narration reads: 'The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, led us in prayer while Abu Bakr was behind him. When he said Takbeer, Abu Bakr would audibly repeat it to make it heard by the people.'" [Muslim]

4- Saying 'Ameen' after finishing the Soorah of Al-Faatihah should be audibly recited by the Imaam, those who pray behind him, as well as the one who prays alone during an audibly-recited prayer, according to the majority of scholars. There are long details in this respect.

5- The Qunoot (i.e. type of supplication) is to be audibly recited by the Imaam and those who pray behind him should audibly say 'Ameen', whether it is the Qunoot during the Fajr prayer, according to those who adopt this opinion, the one recited during catastrophes or that of the Witr prayer. This is the opinion of the majority of scholars. The one who prays alone should recite it inaudibly, according to some scholars, or it is optional for him either to audibly or inaudibly recite it, according to others.

6- Scholars unanimously agree that the Imaam should audibly say Tasleem (saying As-Salamu ‘alaykum Wa Rahmatullaah) at the end of prayer. This is the preponderant opinion.

We alert that scholars provided different opinions regarding the degree of the audible and inaudible recitation in prayer. Most of them are of the opinion that the least degree of inaudible recitation is to be heard by him. Others are of the opinion that it is enough to move the tongue and lips. As for the audible recitation, while the least degree is to make it heard to others, there is no extent for the higher degree.