the imam’s murmur without understanding what he says, there are two views in Ahmad’s school and among other scholars. The stronger view is that he should recite, for it is preferable to be either listening or reciting. Such a person is not listening and does not attain the intended benefit of listening, so reciting is better for him than remaining silent. We shall therefore present the evidence for both points: that he should listen when the imam recites aloud and recite when the imam recites quietly.

The evidence for the first point comes from the Book, the Sunnah, and reasoned consideration.

As for the first, Allah Most High says:

“When the Quran is recited, listen to it and remain silent, so that you may be shown mercy.”

It is widely reported from the early generations that this verse was revealed concerning recitation during prayer. Some said it concerned the sermon. Ahmad ibn Hanbal reported a consensus that it was revealed concerning this, and also reported a consensus that recitation is not obligatory for the follower while the imam recites aloud.

He then says:

The words of Allah Most High,

“When the Quran is recited, listen to it and remain silent, so that you may be shown mercy,”

are general in wording. They must therefore either apply specifically to recitation during prayer, apply specifically to recitation outside prayer, or encompass both. The second possibility is certainly false, for no Muslim has ever maintained that listening is obligatory outside prayer but not during