Reciting Behind the Imam

A distinction arises, however, when praying behind an imam. According to the Ḥanafīs, when the imam recites aloud, those praying behind him are to listen and remain silent rather than reciting along with him, on the strength of Allah's command:

When the Qur'an is being read, it is to be listened to in silence. There are several hadith in which the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) tells those praying behind him to stop reciting because they were causing him confusion, and instructs that the Qur'an, when recited, is to be listened to — a command the Ḥanafīs take as their proof, reasoning that when the imam recites aloud he is, in effect, reciting on behalf of those praying behind him, who are therefore required to listen rather than recite along with him. On this point, then, the schools differ.