that reciting the takbīr aloud is prescribed when needed, such as when the imam’s voice is weak. Without such a need, however, they agreed that it is disliked and not prescribed. They held two opinions as to whether the prayer of someone who does so is invalid. This disagreement over its validity is well known within the schools of Mālik, Ahmad, and others. Nevertheless, it is disliked by agreement of all the schools. And Allah knows best.

He—may Allah have mercy on him—was asked:

“Is relaying the imam’s words from behind him recommended, or is it an innovation?”

He answered:

Relaying the imam’s words from behind him without a need is an innovation, not a recommended practice, by agreement of the imams. Only the imam should recite the takbīr aloud, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and his caliphs used to do. No one used to relay the Prophet’s words from behind him, peace and blessings be upon him. However, when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, fell ill, his voice grew weak, so Abū Bakr—may Allah be pleased with him—would make the takbīr audible to the people.

The scholars differed as to whether the prayer of the person relaying the imam’s words is invalid. There are two opinions within the schools of Mālik, Ahmad, and others.