How Loud should the Qiraa'ah of the Imaam be?

Q: Salaah-9: A person commenting on the Qur'aan states that a person in salaah should not recite too loudly and neither too softly, but with moderation. This he derives from the verse of Surah Bani Israa'eel that states: Do not recite (the Qur'aan) loudly in your salaah, nor softly, but seek a path in between these (two extremes)."

He states further that the Imaam's voice should therefore not leave the place Where salaah is being performed. Is he correct?

Answer: It is not proper to explain the laws derived from verses of the Qur'aan and to issue Fataawaa by merely looking at the translation of the Qur'aan. It is incorrect to stipulate that the verse "seek a path in between these refers to the voice of the Imaam not leaving the place of salaah. It is what the Fuqahaa have stipulated that is correct.

One interpretation of the verse is that the Imaam should neither recite audibly in all the salaahs, nor should he recite silently in all the salaahs, while he will recite audibly in the Fajr, Maghrib and Isha salaah, he will recite silently in the Zuhr and Aar salaahs (because it was at these times when the Mushrikeen engaged in their business or were sleeping or eating). And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.2