Absolute Justice, Kindness and Kinship — Page 213
— Part II 208 …And utter not you prayer aloud, nor utter it too low, but seek a way between. (S u rah Ban i Isr a ‘ i l; Ch. 17: V. 111) The following tradition explains this verse further. Hadrat Ab u Bakr S idd i q ra used to offer his Tahajjud prayer in complete silence. A person standing next to him would not have heard even the slightest of sounds. In contrast with him it was Hadrat ‘Umar’s ra custom to say his Tahajjud prayer in a loud, audible voice. The Holy Prophet sa once asked Hadrat Ab u Bakr ra , 'Why do you say your prayers in your heart?' Hadrat Ab u Bakr ra replied, 'O Prophet of Allah! My prayer reaches the One for whom it is intended, and that is sufficient. ' The Holy Prophet sa said, 'There is no need to say it absolutely quietly so that you must confine it to your heart alone. Some voice should be added to your prayer, albeit a gentle one. ' Hadrat ‘Umar’s ra temperament was different to that of Hadrat Ab u Bakr’s ra. When asked why he recited the Tahajjud prayer loudly, he replied, 'I banish Satan from my presence by singing verses from the Quran!' The Holy Prophet sa said to Hadrat Umar ra , 'There is no need to chastise Satan in this manner. You should recite the prayer in a gentler voice. ' He was warned that by chanting the Tahajjud prayer in a loud voice, he may, in all likelihood, disturb and annoy those around him, who are saying their prayers. 25