In Islam, the way we perform acts of worship is based on divine guidance and prophetic practice. The specific reasons behind certain actions, such as silent or audible recitation during prayers, cannot be fully understood through human reasoning alone. Instead, they are followed as part of the established tradition in the religion. This principle is known as “tevkifi”, meaning that the rules and methods of worship are determined by divine command and cannot be altered based on human logic.
The Prophetic Instruction on Prayer
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of following his example in prayer. He said:
“Pray as you have seen me praying.”
(Bukhari, Adhan, 18 [631]).
This hadith highlights that the way we pray, including whether the recitation is silent or audible, is based on how the Prophet himself performed the prayers. Muslims follow his example as a part of fulfilling their religious obligations.
Silent vs. Audible Recitation in Prayers
The distinction between silent and audible recitation during prayer is rooted in the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the practices of his Companions.
Daytime obligatory prayers (such as Dhuhr and Asr) are performed with silent recitation.
Nighttime obligatory prayers (such as Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr) include audible recitation.
This practice was observed by the Prophet and taught to his Companions, who then passed it on to subsequent generations. The difference in recitation style is well-documented in hadith collections, such as:
Bukhari (Adhan, 96-105 [759-774])
Muslim (Salat, 47-48, 149-179, 201 [398, 449-465, 475])
In summary, the variation between silent and audible recitation in prayers is not based on individual preference but is a part of the prophetic tradition. It reflects the specific way the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed prayers, which Muslims strive to emulate as closely as possible in their worship.