of his opinion. In such a case, performing what he himself regards as the less meritorious option for the sake of harmony and bringing hearts together—an interest weightier than the virtue of that preferred act—is both permissible and commendable.

Likewise, deliberately leaving the superior practice in order to clarify the sunnah and teach it to those who are unaware is praiseworthy. An example would be to raise one’s voice in the opening supplication (istiftāḥ), in the taʿawwudh (seeking refuge), or in the basmalah (saying “In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”) so that people realize these recitations are legitimate and recommended within the prayer. It is authentically reported that ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb recited the opening supplication aloud: after pronouncing the takbīr (Allāhu akbar) he would say,

“Glory be to You, O Allah, and all praise is Yours; blessed is Your Name; exalted is Your majesty; there is no deity but You.”

Al-Aswad ibn Yazīd said, “I prayed behind ʿUmar on more than seventy occasions, and he would …”