A group of people argue that group recitation of the Quran is an innovation (bid‘ah). They claim that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) once found his companions reciting the Quran together and told them, “Let each of you engage in private conversation with his Lord.” Is this a sound hadith? Can it be used as evidence [to prohibit group recitation]?

It is permissible in Islamic law to recite the Quran collectively in an organized manner, without exceeding the prescribed limits or causing disruption during recitation or teaching. Some people’s use of certain prophetic hadiths as evidence for the prohibition of group recitation is a flawed inference that is far removed from proper understanding and a distortion of the teachings of the Sunnah.

What the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) actually instructed was guidance on the proper organization of individual recitation. Abu Hazim al-Tammar narrated from al-Bayadi (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) came out to the people while they were praying, their voices raised in recitation, and said,
“The one who is privately conversing with his Lord, so he should be mindful of whom he is conversing with. Let not some of you raise their voices over others [when reciting] the Quran” (recorded by
Malik in Al-Muwatta` and Ahmad in his Musnad).

The above hadith does not prohibit organized group recitation of the Quran or collective remembrance of Allah (dhikr), as has been the practice in mosques and Muslim homes over the centuries. Rather, it prohibits disturbing or raising their voices over each other while reciting; any act of transgression is proscribed under all circumstances.

Imam Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr stated in Al-Istidhkar (1:435), “It is disliked for anyone performing an obligatory prayer to raise their voice excessively when praying beside others, so as not to cause confusion. The same applies to those performing voluntary prayers alongside others engaged in the same. In light of this, it is impermissible for anyone to engage in conversation in the mosque in a way that distracts worshipers and disrupt their recitation.”

And Allah the Almighty knows best