Dr. Mahmoud Shalaby, Secretary of Fatwa at Dar Al-Ifta Egypt, responded to a question from a woman asking whether it is permissible to recite aloud in Dhuhr and Asr prayers.
He explained that the audible prayers are Fajr, Maghrib, and Isha, while Dhuhr and Asr are silent prayers, in which the Quran is recited quietly, only loud enough for the person praying to hear themselves.
Dr. Shalaby clarified that if someone recites aloud in these prayers by mistake or forgetfulness, their prayer remains valid, and there is no need for prostration of forgetfulness (sujood al-sahw), as this concerns the form of prayer, not its essential pillars.
He added that it is permissible to raise the voice slightly—just enough to help focus or overcome distractions—without it being considered a violation of the Sunnah.
However, he stressed that deliberately reciting aloud in silent prayers is contrary to the Prophet’s practice, even though the prayer remains valid and does not need to be repeated. The Prophet ﷺ consistently performed Dhuhr and Asr in a silent, humble manner, and believers are encouraged to follow his example.
