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For the silent prayer during Zuhr and Asr (in Jama'at), my understanding is that when reading Surah Fatiha, it is enough just to move your lips and read the surah in your mind.

Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

 

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

For the silent prayer during Zuhr and Asr (in Jama'at), my understanding is that when reading Surah Fatiha, it is enough just to move your lips and read the surah in your mind.

But as for the supplementary surah, should we read one in our mind, or should we not read anything (as it could be different to the imams)?

 

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Answer:

 

Surah in prayer

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

 

Your Question: For the silent prayer during Zuhr and Asr (in Jama'at), my understanding is that when reading Surah Fatiha, it is enough just to move your lips and read the surah in your mind.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 7 Surah Aaraaf verse 204:

204 When the Qur'an is read listen to it with attention and hold your peace: that ye may receive Mercy.

 

In the first two rakahs of the obligatory ‘fajr’, ‘magrib’, and ‘isha’ prayers when the Surah Fatihah and the additional verses are recited aloud by the ‘imam’ in congregation, one should remain silent and listen to the recitation of the Glorious Quran with attention.

 

In the obligatory ‘dhuhr’ and ‘asr’ prayers when the ‘imam’ recites the Surah Al-Fatihah silently, the believers following the ‘imam’ in congregation should also recite the Surah Al-Fatihah by moving their lips but silently in their hearts.

 

Your Question: But as for the supplementary surah, should we read one in our mind, or should we not read anything (as it could be different to the imams)?

Abu Qatadah reported that the Prophet (saws) would recite al-Fatihah and some (other) surah in the first two rak'ah of the noon prayer, and only al-Fatihah in the last two rak'ah. Sometimes he (saws) would recite some verses. The first rak'ah's recital would be longer than the second. That was how it was done in the afternoon and morning prayers.

Related by al-Bukhari, Muslim and Abu Dawud.

 

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 1.739 Narrated by Abu Huraira

The Qur'an is recited in every prayer and in those prayers in which Allah's Messenger (saws) recited aloud for us, we recite aloud in the same prayers for you; and the prayers in which the Prophet (saws) recited quietly, we recite quietly. If you recite "Surah Al-Fatiha" only it is sufficient, but if you recite something else in addition, it is better.

 

It is the preferred Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws) to recite a few verses of the Quran after the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah in the first two rakahs of every prayer; but this is not a compulsory or obligatory condition of prayer. If one, for any reason, forgets to recite other verses of the Glorious Quran after Surah Al-Fatihah in the first two rakahs of the prayer, his prayer will still be regarded as valid.

 

In the first two rakahs of the ‘dhuhr’ and ‘asr’ prayers when the ‘imam’ leading the congregation recites the prayers silently, the believers who pray behind him must also recite the Surah Al-Fatihah and any other Surah of their choice in a silent manner. There is absolutely no harm if the Surah or verses the ‘imam’ recites silently after the Surah Al-Fatihah in those prayers are different from those which are recited by the believers who pray behind the ‘imam’ in congregation. Only when the ‘imam’ recites any part of the Glorious Quran aloud in any of his prayers (the first two rakahs of fajr, magrib, and isha), the believers must not recite anything but listen to the recitation of the Glorious Quran silently and attentively.

 

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 7 Surah Aaraaf verse 204:

204 When the Qur'an is read listen to it with attention and hold your peace: that ye may receive Mercy.

 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

 

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

 

 

Burhan

 

 


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