Understanding Silent and Audible Prayer Recitation for Women in Islam

Reciting in Silent vs. Audible Prayers: Guidelines for Women

Question: Is it Sunnah or obligatory to recite quietly in the silent prayers (Salah) and aloud in the audible prayers? If a woman has continuously recited silently in audible prayers, what should she do now? Additionally, how loud should a woman recite during audible prayers – is it sufficient for her to hear herself?

Answer: It is Sunnah for both men and women to recite quietly in the silent prayers (Salah) and aloud in the audible prayers. We must perform the prayers as the Prophet (ﷺ) taught us, following all its prescribed forms. The question of what is obligatory and what is Sunnah should not be the focus; rather, we should perform the prayer with all its pillars, obligations, and Sunnah acts, as the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Pray as you have seen me praying.” (Sahih al-Bukhari: 6008, 7246, 631).

If a woman has continuously recited silently in all her prayers, she has only neglected the Sunnah, but her prayers are still valid. There is no issue with what has happened in the past, but from now on, she should differentiate between silent and audible prayers. If she is in a place where non-mahram men are present, she may recite the audible prayers silently due to necessity. However, if no non-mahram men are present, she should recite aloud, and it is sufficient for her voice to be loud enough for her to hear herself, meaning there should be a sound, not just a mental recitation.

 Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi حفظه الله

⟨Jeddah Dawah Center, Hayy Al-Salamah, Saudi Arabia⟩