At Which Point Is One’s Recitation Considered Loud (Jahr)?

Answered by Ustadh Sufyan Qufi 

Question

Salam. I wanted to ask you regarding the level of voice which makes recitation jahr. I mean, if I’m reciting in silent prayer in a low voice but which may be audible to 4 or 5 individuals on both sides, would that make it jahr? It isn’t evident until someone defines the audibility of one’s voice to make it jahr.

Looking forward to receiving a response.

Answer

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

I pray this finds you in the best of states.

Jazakum Allah khayr for your question

For a recitation to be deemed loud (jahri), it is enough that only one person can hear the Imam. Less than that would be deemed silent. [Tahtawi; Hashiya on Maraqi al-Falah]

And Allah knows best.

May  Allah Most High grant you the best of this world and the next. Please keep us in your du’as!

Wassalam

[Ustadh] Sufyan Qufi
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Sufyan Qufi is an advanced seeker of knowledge, originally from Algeria, who grew up in France. He began searching far and wide for answers to the fundamental questions of life and was disappointed at the answers he found.

Then he connected with various traditional teachers and gradually connected with SeekersGuidance. He embarked on his journey of learning through the various teachers at SeekersGuidance, including his mentor Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.

He studied numerous texts in Islamic Law, Theology, Hadith, and other areas with Shaykh Faraz Rabbani and other teachers, including Shaykh Abdurrahman al-Sha‘ar, Shaykh Ali Hani, and others.

He is an active instructor at SeekersGuidance and answers questions through the SeekersGuidance Answers Service.