Yet a question remains: Suppose someone were to say, “If we do not hold that he may be alerted verbally, then he will become a plaything: ‘Subhan Allah,’ so he sits; ‘Subhan Allah,’ so he stands; ‘Subhan Allah,’ so he sits; ‘Subhan Allah,’ so he stands. Surely there must be some speech?”

It may then be said in such a case: if necessity requires it, the one alerting him may speak, then restart his prayer. We say: he spoke for the benefit of the prayer. If you speak now, you set right the entire congregational prayer, while your own prayer is invalidated, so restart it. This is in the interest of everyone, and the collective interest takes precedence over that of the individual. Indeed, even if you were to remain with the imam, your prayer would be invalidated, or the matter might lead you to leave your imam.

Issue: Can he be alerted by means other than this—that is, other than saying Subhan Allah?

The answer is yes: he may be alerted by clearing one’s throat, because Ali ibn Abi Talib had two times of entry upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: one at night and the other during the day. When he entered upon him while he was praying, he would clear his throat for him (1). Thus, this is another means of alerting him.

Likewise, he may be alerted by reciting aloud. Reciting aloud is permissible; thus, if someone seeks permission to enter upon you or calls you while you are praying, and you raise your voice in what you are reciting, this serves as an alert. But the best means is to say Subhan Allah, because the Prophet ﷺ commanded it.