Saying Aameen

Saying Amen

It is recommended to say Amin after finishing the recitation of Al-Fatihah. Amin means, “O Allah! Accept our invocation.” The evidence that saying Amin is recommended is contained in what Imams Ahmad, Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi recorded, that Wa’il bin Hujr said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah recite,

(Not (that) of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray), and he said Amin extending it with his voice.”

Abu Dawud’s narration added, “Raising his voice with it.” At-Tirmidhi then commented that this Hadith is Hasan and was also narrated from Ali and Ibn Mas`ud. Also, Abu Hurayrah narrated that whenever the Messenger of Allah would recite,

(Not (the way) of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray), He would say Amin until those who were behind him in the first line could hear him.

Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah recorded this Hadith with the addition, “Then the Masjid would shake because of (those behind the Prophet ) reciting Amin.” Also, Ad-Daraqutni recorded this Hadith and commented that it is Hasan.

Further, Bilal narrated that he said, “O Messenger of Allah! Do not finish saying Amin before I can join you.” This was recorded by Abu Dawud.

In addition, Abu Nasr Al-Qushayri narrated that Al-Hasan and Jafar As-Sadiq stressed the m’ in Amin.

Saying Amin is recommended for those who are not praying (when reciting Al-Fatihah) and is strongly recommended for those who are praying, whether alone or behind the Imam. The Two Sahihs recorded that the Messenger of Allah said,

When the Imam says, ‘ Amin’, then say, ‘Amin’, because whoever says, Amin’ with the angels, his previous sins will be forgiven.

Muslim recorded that the Messenger of Allah said,

When any of you says in the prayer, ‘Amin and the angels in heaven say, Amin’, in unison, his previous sins will be forgiven.

It was said that the Hadith talks about both the angels and the Muslims saying Amin at the same time. The Hadith also refers to when the Amins said by the angels and the Muslims are equally sincere (thus bringing about forgiveness).

Further, it is recorded in Sahih Muslim that Abu Musa related to the Prophet that he said,

When the Imam says, Walad-dallin, say, Amin and Allah will answer your invocation.

In addition, At-Tirmidhi said that Amin’ means, “Do not disappoint our hope”, while the majority of scholars said that it means. “Answer our invocation.”

Also, in his Musnad, Imam Ahmad recorded that `A’ishah said that when the Jews were mentioned to him, the Messenger of Allah said,

They will not envy us for anything more than they envy us for Friday which we have been guided to, while they were led astray from it, and for the Qiblah which we were guided to, while they were led astray from it, and for our saying Amin’ behind the Imam.

Also, Ibn Majah recorded this Hadith with the wording,

The Jews have never envied you more than for your saying the Salam (Islamic greeting) and for saying Amin.) Further, it is recorded in Sahih Muslim that Abu Musa related to the Prophet that he said,

When the Imam says, Walad-dallin, say, Amin and Allah will answer your invocation.

In addition, At-Tirmidhi said that Amin means, Do not disappoint our hope, while the majority of scholars said that it means. “Answer our invocation.”

Also, in his Musnad, Imam Ahmad recorded that `A’ishah RA said that when the Jews were mentioned to him, the Messenger of Allah said,

They will not envy us for anything more than they envy us for Friday which we have been guided to, while they were led astray from it, and for the Qiblah which we were guided to, while they were led astray from it, and for our saying Amin’ behind the Imam.

Also, Ibn Majah recorded this Hadith with the wording,

(The Jews have never envied you more than for your saying the Salam (Islamic greeting) and for saying Amin.)