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Fatwa CenterSilent or loud recitation for person praying individually
Question
Assalaamu alaykum. I asked a question about the prayer some days ago and received this: https://www.islamweb.net/en/fatwa/2671982
My question, however, was not really answered, as the response I got from you talks about the congregational prayer, and not one's individual prayer by themselves. So I will rephrase the question, as I think the first link in the answer you gave me may be an answer, but I am not sure. So, for the Fajr prayer, when I am praying by myself, do I recite the entire prayer out loud, including the Tashahhud, the bowing and prostration, etc. (except the Bismillah and the aouthu billahi minashatanir rajeem, which we say silently, as well as Rabbana wa lakal hamd hamdan katheeran taiyaban mubarakatn fee, which are all done silently)? Is it the same for the first two units of prayer of the Maghrib and the ‘Ishaa’? I am confused because I have heard different things; one person told me that the prostration and bowing are done silently in the Fajr, but another said that it is done loudly, etc. May Allah reward you. Wassalaam.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
The Athkaar (expressions of remembrance of Allah) of the bowing and prostration, and the other Athkaar of the prayer, like the Tashahhud, are all done silently. As for reciting the Quran loudly for the individual in prayers where loud recitation is prescribed, like the Fajr prayer and the first two units of prayer of the Maghrib and ʻIshaa', the scholars held different opinions in this regard. Some held that it is an act of the Sunnah, while others held that the person has the choice to recite silently or loudly. This was the view of the Hanbalis.
Shaykh Ibn ʻUthaymeen 
said, "The person who is praying individually, if he is performing the audible prayer, he is given the choice either to recite silently or loudly according to what best helps him attain Khushooʻ (humble submission and total concentration)."
Allah knows best.
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