Question:
Assalamualaikum w.b.t. What is the ruling of talking before the takbiratul ihram after the iqamah has been called out? Hope for an explanation. Thank you.
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam w.b.t.
Alhamdulillah, praise and gratitude to Allah SWT for His countless blessings for us all. Praise and salutations to our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his family, companions and all those who follow his footsteps until the Last Day.
Basically, a Muslim is commanded to only say good and beneficial things and at the same time protect his mouth from saying bad things that increase sins. This is as stated in a narration from Abu Hurairah RA, where Rasullullah PBUH said:
مَن كانَ يُؤْمِنُ باللَّهِ واليَومِ الآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْرًا أوْ لِيَصْمُتْ
“He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, must speak good or remain silent,” [1]
It is clear in the above hadith that saying good things and leaving bad speech is included as the perfection of faith.
Talking after the iqamah is called
Regarding this matter, Imam al-Nawawi said in his book, according to madhhab Syafi’I and jumhur scholars from Hijaz and others that it is permissible to talk after the iqamah is called and before the takbiratul ihram. However, it is best to leave the act of talking except if there is a need. While Abu Hanifah and scholars from Kufah said that it is makruh. [2]
Furthermore, there is a narration from Abu Hurairah RA, he said:
أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاةُ، فَسَوّى النّاسُ صُفُوفَهُمْ، فَخَرَجَ رَسولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ، فَتَقَدَّمَ، وهو جُنُبٌ، ثُمَّ قالَ: على مَكانِكُمْ فَرَجَعَ فاغْتَسَلَ، ثُمَّ خَرَجَ ورَأْسُهُ يَقْطُرُ ماءً، فَصَلّى بهِمْ
“Once Iqama was pronounced and the people had straightened the rows, Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) went forward (to lead the prayer) but he was Junub, so he said, “Remain in your places.” And he went out, took a bath and returned with water trickling from his head. Then he led the prayer.” [3]
Likewise, there is another hadith that shows the permissibility of talking during this time. This is as narrated by Ibn Umar R.Anhuma where Rasullullah PBUH said:
أقيمُوا الصفوفَ وحاذُوا بين المناكبِ وسُدُّوا الخَللَ
“Arrange the rows in order, stand shoulder to shoulder, close the gaps,” [4]
Al-hafiz Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani stated that the above hadith shows the permissibility of a separator between the iqamah and prayer – which is the takbiratul ihram – due to the word (that is the Prophet PBUH prays) of which it is apparently understood that the iqamah is not repeated. [5]
Furthermore, Imam al-Nawawi also said that the hadith shows the permissibility to talk during the time between the iqamah and takbiratul ihram. This is the opinion of madhhab Syafi’I and also the jumhur of scholars although some scholars restricted it – the act of talking after the iqamah. Although, the accurate opinion is that talking after iqamah is permissible, regardless of whether the talk is related to matters that involve the maslahat of prayer or others. [6]
Conclusion
Hence, in our opinion the act of talking after iqamah is called even when one is standing in the saf to start the prayer, as long as he has yet to perform the takbiratul ihram, then it is permissible. Although, if there is no need for it, then it is best to not talk after the iqamah so as to not distract or disturb others who are focusing and preparing to perform the prayer and worship Allah SWT.
May Allah SWT grant us all a clear understanding of religion. Amin.
Wallahu a’lam.
[1] Narrated by al-Bukhari (6018); Muslim (47)
[2] See al-Majmu‘ Syarh al-Muhazzab, 4/227.
[3] Narrated by al-Bukhari (640); Muslim (605)
[4] Narrated by Abu Daud (666)
[5] See Fath al-Bari, 2/122.
[6] See al-Minhaj Syarh Sahih Muslim, 4/157.