I say:

The voice with which Allah spoke is not the voice heard from the servant; rather, the latter is the servant’s own voice, as people generally understand. The imams, including Ahmad and others, explicitly affirmed this: the speech heard from the servant is Allah’s speech, not anyone else’s. As Allah Most High says:

“And if any of the polytheists seeks your protection, grant him protection so that he may hear the speech of Allah.”

(al-Tawbah: 6)

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“Is there anyone who will take me to his people so that I may convey the speech of my Lord? Quraysh have prevented me from conveying the speech of my Lord.”

Reported by Abū Dāwūd and others.

He, peace and blessings be upon him, also said:

“Beautify the Quran with your voices.”

And he said:

“Whoever does not recite the Quran aloud is not one of us.”

Al-Khallāl related from Ishāq ibn Ibrāhīm, who said: “Abū Abd Allāh said to me one day—and I had