71 — One of the Etiquettes of Supplication Is That It Be Made Privately

We previously discussed the words of Allah, Mighty and Majestic: “Call upon your Lord humbly and privately. Indeed, He does not love transgressors,” and how they prohibit and warn against transgression in supplication in all its forms. A supplication involving transgression is neither loved, approved, nor accepted by Allah. This requires the Muslim to exercise due caution and vigilance lest he fall into any such transgression.

The noble verse also sets forth another great etiquette of supplication: it should be made privately and quietly, rather than aloud. This is expressed in His words, Glorified is He: “Call upon your Lord humbly and privately”—that is, in private, not publicly. Similarly, Allah Most High says: “Remember your Lord within yourself.” It is authentically established in the two Sahih collections that Abū Mūsā al-Asharī—may Allah be pleased with him—said: “The people raised their voices in supplication, so the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said: ‘O people, take it easy. You are not calling upon one who is deaf or absent. Indeed, the One upon whom you call is All-Hearing and near.’”1.

Al-Hasan al-Basrī said: “I lived among people who would never perform publicly any deed on earth that they were able to perform privately. The Muslims would strive earnestly in supplication, yet their voices could not be heard; there was nothing but whispering between them and their Lord, Exalted and Majestic. This was because Allah Most High says: ‘Call upon your Lord