to say quietly, such as glorifying Allah while bowing and prostrating, reciting the tashahhud (testimony of faith), and supplicating. It is well known that Quran recitation is superior to remembrance and supplication. Why, then, should recitation not be prescribed for him when the imam recites quietly, since he neither hears that recitation nor says “Āmīn” in response to the imam’s silent recitation?
Furthermore, Allah, glorified be He, says:
“When the Quran is recited, listen to it attentively and remain silent, so that you may receive mercy.”
He also says:
“Remember your Lord within yourself, humbly and fearfully, without raising your voice, in the mornings and evenings, and do not be among the heedless.”
This command is addressed to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and to his community, for whatever is addressed to him is also addressed to his community unless a text establishes that it applies exclusively to him. Examples include His words:
“Glorify your Lord with praise before sunrise and before sunset.”
And His words:
“Establish prayer at the two ends of the day and in the early hours of the night.”
And His words:
“Establish prayer from the sun’s decline until the darkness of night.”
There are other similar passages. This command to remember Allah within oneself in the mornings and evenings applies to the imam, the person praying behind him, and the person praying alone. It encompasses the dawn, noon, and afternoon prayers. Thus, the person praying behind the imam is commanded to remember his Lord within himself. When he is listening, however, he is commanded to listen; when he is not listening, he is commanded to remember his Lord within himself.
The Quran is the finest remembrance, as Allah Most High says:
“This is a blessed reminder which We have sent down.”
Allah Most High also says:
“We have given you a reminder from Our presence.”
And Allah Most High says:
“Whoever turns away from My remembrance will have a life of hardship, and We will raise him blind on the Day of Resurrection.”
He also says:
“No reminder comes to them anew from their Lord.”
Moreover, remaining silent without recitation, remembrance, or supplication is not an act of worship