and its chain of transmission is sound, as already noted under the section “Standing” in the middle of the hadith (*). Note that al-Bukhari headed this narration with the title: “Chapter: The Imam’s audible amin.” Ibn Majah and al-Nasa’i used the same heading. Al-Sindi comments: “From this the compiler inferred that the Imam says amin out loud, for had he uttered it silently the congregation would not be aware of it, and it would make little sense to order them to say amin simultaneously with him. This is a fine deduction, strengthened by the explicit wording that calls for audibility, and this is the apparent, common-sense reading (1). Someone might argue that it is enough for the worshippers to know the Imam’s amin from his silence after the recitation, but that is a weak indication: the Imam often pauses after finishing the recitation and then says amin. Indeed, a separation between the recitation and the amin is more fitting, and if one relied on that sign alone the follower’s amin would precede the Imam’s. Yet the version that reads, “When the Imam says: wa la-ddallin (nor those who go astray) …” may support that interpretation, so reflect upon it. The more likely explanation is that one of the two phrasings is the transmitters’ own wording. In that case the narration that says, “When he says amin,” is better known and more authentic, and is therefore probably the original wording. Allah knows best.” End of quotation. _________ (*) See p. 87. (1) This additional phrase invalidates the argument that the hadith proves the Imam does not himself say amin, as is related from Malik. Accordingly al-Hafiz said, “It is explicit that the Imam says amin.” I add: the second wording corroborates this. Ibn Abd al-Barr states in al-Tamheed 7/13: “This is the view of the majority of Muslims, including Malik in the narration of the Medinites from him, because it is authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, in the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (i.e., this one) and the hadith of Wail ibn Hujr,” referring to the one just mentioned.