Dear Sir, Appeal for the Muazzim to Repeat After Imam During Jumah Prayers.
Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu,
I write as a concerned person in the Muslim community to humbly appeal to your noble office and to the leadership of the United Council of Imams to kindly reconsider and encourage those Mosques that are not allowing the Muazzim to repeat after the Imam during salah especially the Jumah Prayers.
My appeal is base, on a pressing need that has become common in many of our mosques, especially during Friday congregational prayers when the mosques are fill and many worshippers find themselves praying outside the main prayer area. In such cases, our reliance on microphones and loudspeakers becomes critical. However, we frequently face power outages, which result in complete silence from the Imam's end, leaving many worshippers in doubt about the exact movements during the prayer. In several instances, we are usually at the mercy of Allah, assuming whether the Imam is in ruku or sujud position, thus affecting the focus and accuracy of our prayer.
Traditionally, the role of the Muazzim repeating after the Imam has helped bridge this gap, ensuring that worshippers, regardless of their distance from the Imam, are able to follow the prayer correctly and with clarity. We understand and deeply respect the various scholarly opinions regarding specific phrases such as "Rabbana lakal hamd", and we do not seek to cause division, but rather to ensure that the worship of hundreds of congregants were not left to guesswork due to electricity outage or technical failure of the public address system a challenge that is beyond our control.
I sincerely believe that reviving this practice, particularly during Jumah, can be a practical solution and will greatly enhance the concentration and spiritual experience of worshippers, with or without electricity.
The hadith is very clear as stated in Sunan Ibn Majah 876 (Book 5, Hadith 74) #30228.
It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "When the Imam says: 'Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him),’ say: 'Rabbana wa lakal-hamd (O our Lord, to You is the praise).’
On the various scholarly opinions
The jurists unanimously agreed that the person who is praying alone should say both Tasmi` and Tahmid. So he should say Sami`a Allahu liman hamidah when he rises from bowing and when he has stood up straight he should say Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.
This unanimous agreement was narrated by At-Tahawi in Sharh Ma`ani Al-Athar (1/240) and Ibn `Abd Al-Barr in Al-Istidhkar (2/178).
However, in Al-Mughni (1/548) there is something, which indicates that there is a difference of opinion on this matter. Nevertheless, they differed as to what is prescribe for the Imam and for the one praying behind the Imam.
In the case of the Imam:
The Hanafis and Malikis are of the view that he should say Sami`a Allahu liman hamidah (Tasmi) only, and it is not Sunnah for him to say Rabbana lakal-Hamd. The Shafi`is and Hanbalis are of the view that the Imam should say both Tasmi` (Sami`a Allahu liman hamidah) and Tahmid (Allahumma Rabbana wa lakal-hamd).
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said Sami`a Allahu liman hamidah, he would say Allahumma Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 795 and Muslim, 392).
EXPLANATIONS:
This hadith teaches us that we should always praise and thank God for all of His blessings. When the Imam says “Sami Allahu liman hamidah”, which means, “Allah hears those who praise Him”, we should respond by saying “Rabbana wa lakal-hamd” which means, “O our Lord, to You is the praise.” This shows us that it is important to show gratitude towards God for all of His blessings.
Following the presentation of the many scholarly viewpoints, I would like to share with you two quotes from a man and a woman who were interview from the sample survey undertaken to gauge the views of Worshippers in various mosque.
‘I have prayed in a similar circumstance, and when the light went out while we were praying on the second floor of the mosque, we were all silent because the people behind the imam neglected to repeat after him, even though they knew that others would not be able to hear him because of the power outage. Sometimes I feel bad that I should have prayed the four rakat Dohr instead, since I gained nothing from the prayers even though I listened to the Imam Khutuba’.
‘I definitely prayed in that situation. After hearing the sermon, the light turned out as soon as the imam was reciting chapters of the Holy Quran in the first rakat, and we were just standing with other women, speculating as to whether the imam had Sujud or Ruku. Ultimately, when we realized that the prayer has finished, we just prayed for ourselves’.
To sum up, I must say that I have faith in your leadership and knowledge to see that this issue is resolved. I pray that Allah (SWT) will continue to reward your efforts to bring the Ummah together and steer us in the direction of what is best for the Deen.
Jazakumullahu Khairan for your attention and understanding.
