Absolute Justice, Kindness and Kinship — Page 214
Justice (‘ Adl ), Benevolence ( Ihsan ) & Kinship ( Ita’i Dhil-Qurba ) in Worship 209 According to another tradition, the loud recitation of the Tahajjud prayers by the Companions of the Holy Prophet sa had resulted in their neighbouring non- Muslims being disturbed in their sleep. This annoyed them and they would complain and grumble. The Holy Prophet sa was instructed by Allah that particular consideration should be shown for others and that they should not be disturbed in their sleep. However, it is not only for the sake of the next door neighbours that the voices are required to be lowered. Most Muslim houses may comprise people like small children who must not be disturbed during that hour. There may be some ailing persons or those women who are not required to get up at Tahajjud time. All of them require the subduing of a worshipper’s voice during his Tahujjad prayer. The above verse clearly requires us to strike a balance between the two extremes so that those who do not wish to offer the Tahajjud prayer are not disturbed by those who do. There was a time in many Muslim countries when the Fajr Adh a n (call for the morning prayer) was not relayed over loudspeakers. The low voice would awaken those who really wanted to hear it and who had every intention of waking up early in the morning. Again, the sound of the Adh a ns (plural of Adh a n ) was limited to the neighbourhood surrounding the mosque. Now the situation is completely different. The ego of the clergy is satiated only if his call for prayer is made at the top of his voice and through the