Ibn Hajar said: ‘Since reciting Ta’m?n is an establishe Sunnah, the Im?m should recite it loudly in the Sal?t done with audible voice -as Al-Bukh?r? stated. This view was held by the Jumh?r -to the opposite of the K?f? scholars- and a view related from Im?m M?lik; who also held the opposite opinion.

The had?th indicates that had the Im?m’s Ta’m?n were not heard, the Ma’m?m?n would not have known about it, and since the Ma’m?m?n’s Ta’m?n should be recited immediately after that of the Im?m, the later’s Ta’m?n must have been recited loudly. Those who held the opposite view argued that the Ta’min’s timing is already known for every one, so reciting it loudlyby the Im?m is unnecessary. This view is, however, shaky since one may forget all about Ta’m?n and some may not know anything about it’. (1)

The first opinion is the sound one for it is supported by the aforementioned had?th and the one narrated by Ibn Shih?b who said: ‘The prophet ( - صلى الله عليه وسلم -) used to say ’?m?n’ [at the end of the F?tihah]. (2)

[3/ 40] The second; it is an obligation that the Ma’m?m repeats the Ta’m?n after the Im?m recites it for the prophet ( - صلى الله عليه وسلم -) had?th states: ‘When the Im?m recites Ta’m?n, repeat the same after him’. Ash-Shawk?n? held this view but with a little restriction; he believed that ‘reciting Ta’m?n is recommended (i.e. not mandatory for both the Im?m himself or the one doing Sal?t alone. As for the Ma’m?m, it is an obligation on him only when he hears the Im?m’s Ta’m?n’. (3) Ibn Hazm shared Ash-Shawk?n? his view. (4)

Commenting on the aforementioned view of Ash-Shawk?n?, the great ‘?lim Al-Alb?n? said: ‘One should observe this Sunnah perfectly in its proper time and manner; that is to recite it immediately after the Im?m does so the thing which many muslims -in the many countries I have visited- misperform; they preced their Im?m in his recitation. This is due to their ignorance of the religious