For this reason, Allah revealed the invocation of His name only at the beginning of each surah. It is part of the Quran wherever it is written, as recorded by the Companions, but it is an independent verse at the beginning of the surah, not part of the surah itself. This is the most balanced of the three scholarly positions on the matter.

Since it is subordinate and serves as a means, whereas praise is intended for its own sake and the invocation of Allah’s name serves that end, the intended end is recited aloud and proclaimed, while the means is recited quietly. This is the position of the majority of scholars and is supported by the authentic hadiths. Do you not see that, by agreement of the Muslims—and as established by the Sunnah transmitted through mass transmission from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace—it is not recited aloud in sermons? Rather, the sermon begins with praise, even though it is not Quran.

This is also why the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, did not mention it in the authentic hadith concerning the division of prayer between the servant and the Lord. The Friday sermon begins with praise, as established by the Sunnah through mass transmission and by scholarly agreement. As for the sermon for seeking rain, there are three positions within the school of Ahmad and elsewhere:

The first: it begins with praise of Allah, like the Friday sermon.

The second: with proclaiming Allah’s greatness, like the Eid sermon.

The third: with seeking forgiveness, because this is more particularly associated with seeking rain.

Regarding the Eid sermon, ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿUqbah mentioned that it begins with proclaiming Allah’s greatness, and this view was adopted by some