for those points disputed by a few outliers. Likewise, reciting “In the name of Allah” aloud or quietly is permissible; neither invalidates the prayer, although some scholars recommend one, dislike the other, or prefer not to recite it. Their disagreement thus concerns what is preferable; otherwise, prayer performed either way is valid according to scholars generally.

Although they disagree over whether audible and quiet recitation are obligatory in their respective places—a well-known disagreement in the schools of Mālik, Ahmad, and others—this concerns prolonged recitation of a substantial amount, such as reciting quietly in the dawn prayer or aloud in the noon prayer. As for reciting a small amount aloud or quietly, no one should declare the prayer invalid on that account, and I know of no one who has done so. Indeed, it is established in the two Sahīh collections that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would sometimes let those praying behind him hear a verse during a prayer normally recited quietly.

In Sahīh al-Bukhārī, Rifā‘ah ibn Rāfi‘ al-Zuraqī reported:

“We were praying behind the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. When he raised his head from bowing, he said, ‘Allah hears whoever praises Him.’ A man behind him said, ‘Our Lord, to You belongs all praise—abundant, pure, and blessed praise.’ When he finished the prayer, he asked, ‘Who said that?’ The man replied, ‘I did.’ He said, ‘I saw thirty-odd angels racing to be the first to record it.’”

It is well known that, had he not said it aloud, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would not have heard him, nor