Should we say Aameen softly or loudly

Allah Ta’ala has given us the command to worship Him to seek His pleasure and has left the details of worship to His Beloved Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) has declared the life of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) as the best model for the whole universe.  Worship of any kind will be valid only when done as per the method described by the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). 

 

All the Imams are in agreement about the beliefs, aims of the religion and its principles.  They differ only in the details of the rules.  Every imam has proofs supporting his opinion.  That is why, in spite of the disagreement, nobody taunts the other and we remain together with the utmost love and affection for each other. 

 

The opinion of the Hanafi school of Fiqh that the Muqtadi (follower in Salaat) should not recite the Holy Quran in Salaat is established by the blessed words of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and the Traditions of the Sahabah.  The following Hadith/Traditions show that, “there is no Salaat without Surah Fatiha” are about Salaat singly.  There is a Hadith in Jame’ Tirmidhi:

 

Translation of Hadith:  It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Jabir Bin Abdullah (May Allah Ta’ala be well pleased with him) that he said: The Salaat of a person who does not recite Surah Fatiha is invalid, but this rule is for the person WHO IS NOT a Muqtadi under an Imam.  Imam Tirmidhi has recorded this Hadith and has declared it as Hasan-Sahih (fairly authenticated).  Also, Imam Muhammad, Imam Malik and Ibn Abi Shaiba have also recorded this Hadith.  (Jame’ Tirmidhi, Hadith No: 288; Zujajatul Masabeeh, Vol. 1, Pg No: 245)

 

There is a Hadith in Sunan Nasai, Jame’ Tirmidhi, Sunan Abu Dawood, Musnad Imam Ahmed and Zujajatul Masabeeh:

 

Translation of Hadith:  It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah Ta’ala be well pleased with him) that after a Salaat in which there is loud Qiraat, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said after finishing the Salaat: Was anyone from you reciting the Holy Quran along with me? A person said: Yes! O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), I was reciting.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: That is why, I was just thinking, why in the Salaat (recitation of) the Holy Quran was being mixed up. 

 

When the people heard this ruling, they stopped reciting the Holy Quran under the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) in a Salaat with loud Qiraat. 

 

This has been recorded by Nasai, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood and Ahmed and Nasai has said: This Hadith has the proof that in Salaat with loud voice, the Muqtadi should not recite the Holy Quran. 

(Sunan Nasai, Hadith No: 910; Jame’ Tirmidhi, Hadith No: 703; Musnad Imam Ahmed, Hadith No: 7485; Zujajatul Masabeeh, Vol. 1, Pg No: 246)

 

There is another Hadith:

 

Translation of Hadith:  It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah Ta’ala be well pleased with him), he said that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Imam is for being followed.  Thus, when he says, “Allahu Akbar,” you also say “Allahu Akbar” and when the Imam recites the Holy Quran, you remain silent. 

 

This has been recorded by Abu Dawood, Nasai and Ibn Majah.  This Hadith is Sahih (rigorously authenticated) and Tahawi has also narrated in the same manner.  There is a Hadith in Sahih Muslim, in which it is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah and Qatadah (May Allah Ta’ala be well pleased with them) that when the Imam recites, you remain silent and it is mentioned in another Hadith of Sahih Muslim that when the Imam says, Ghairil Maghdhubi Alaihim Wa Ladh Dhalleen,” you say, “Aameen”