Is it permissible to make dhikr aud...

Egypt's Dar Al-Ifta

Is it permissible to make dhikr audibly after congregational prayers?

Question

Is it permissible to make dhikr audibly after congregational prayers?

Answer

Although the matter of dhikr [making remembrance of God] — whether audibly or silently — after the prescribed prayers is unrestricted, it is also a debatable issue. The divine injunction to make dhikr after prayers is general; God the Almighty says: “When you have performed the prayers, remember Allah, standing, sitting down, or lying on your side” [4: 103]. The command must be interpreted in light of its capaciousness and generality until something in Islamic law comes to restrict it.

Evidence in the Sunnah supports making audible dhikr after prayers. Ibn 'Abbas (may God be pleased with them both) said: "During the Prophet’s lifetime, it was the custom to raise voices in dhikr after the prescribed prayers" [recorded by Bukhari and Muslim]. He continued saying: "I would know when the prayer ended from the takbir [glorification of God].” know that prayers had ended knew that prayers had finished when I would hear takbir [glorification of God] being made." In another phrasing, of the hadith, he said: "I used to recognize the completion of the Prophet’s when I would hear takbir being made.”

Based on the above, there is a scholarly consensus on the permissibility of making dhikr after the prescribed prayers. However, some scholars are of the view that making dhikr audibly after the prescribed prayers is permissible, while others — who explained making dhikr audibly with the purpose of teaching — maintained that it is more proper to make it silently.

In his meta-commentary on Maraqi Al-Falah, imam Al-Tahawi reconciled the hadiths with the opinions of scholars who differed on the preference of silent or audible dhikr, saying: "The difference is due to the disparity between people, and the differences in circumstances, time and goals. It is better to make silent dhikr when one fears falling into hypocrisy or disturbing others. Otherwise, it is recommended to make audible dhikr.”

Muslims must not make this a cause of discord and dispute since objection is not for issues where there is a difference of opinion. The right thing to do is to let people act naturally — whoever wishes may make audible dhikr and whoever wishes may make silent ones. This is because the matter of dhikr is capacious and the important thing is to let a Muslim do what he finds in his heart.

And God the Almighty knows best.
 

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