Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Karim Yahya, SunniPath Academy Teacher
In the Shafi'i school, should we send blessings on the Prophet (Allah bless and grant him peace) aloud during the Friday Sermon or silently to ourselves? Also, could you kindly give the evidence for this?
In The Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate
Shaykh Ibn Hajar al-Haytami (Allah have mercy on him) said in Tuhfa: "[It is sunna to] raise the voice (without excess) while sending blessings (salat) and peace upon him [the Prophet] (Allah bless and grant him peace) when the speaker mentions him."[1] He (Allah's mercy be upon him) did not mention evidence for this, but perhaps one of its proofs is the rigorously authenticated (sahih) tradition related by Imam Ahmad (Allah be pleased with him): "The stingy person is the one before whom I am mentioned and he does not send blessings upon me."
Shaykh Ibn Hajar's (Allah's mercy upon him) position is given precedence in most of the Shafi'i lands. However, the scholars differed concerning this question some holding that raising the voice is permissible, less appropriate (khilaf al-awla), or even offensive. Imam Ramli (Allah have mercy on him) viewed it as less appropriate. So there is no problem with someone doing it or not. If raising the voice is not the local custom, it is probably best to leave it, but no one can be blamed for being filled with joy and love upon his mention. May Allah show him grace, peace, and blessings as well as his folk. And Allah knows best and he alone gives success (tawfiq).
[1] Ibn Hajar al-Haytami, Hawashi al-Sharwani Wa Ibn Qasim al-Abbadi 'Ala Tuhfah al-Muhtaj Bisharh al-Minhaj (Beruit, Dar Ihya' al-Turath al-'Arabi), 2:454.
[2] See Abdul-Hamid's supercommentary on Tuhfa: ibid. 2:454.
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