If he recites “Is not Allaah the Best of judges?” in the prayer, should he say, “Bala (Yes indeed)?

⦁ If he recites “Is not Allaah the Best of judges?” in the prayer, should he say, “Bala (Yes indeed)?

Question
Is saying “Bala (Yes indeed)” during the prayer after the verse “Is not Allaah the Best of judges?” [al-Teen 95:5] after other verses regarded as invalidating the prayer?.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

Firstly: 

Speaking during prayer was permitted. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions used to return salaams when they were praying. Then that was forbidden, and the scholars are unanimously agreed that it is forbidden to speak during the prayer and the prayer is invalidated if one does that knowingly and deliberately.  

It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: We used to greet the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when he was praying, and he would return the greeting. When we came back from being with the Negus, we greeted him and he did not respond. We said: O Messenger of Allaah, we used to greet you when you were praying and you would return the greeting. He said: “One should concentrate fully in prayer.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari(1141) and Muslim (538). 

It was narrated that Zayd ibn Arqam said: We used to speak during the prayer; a man would speak to his neighbour whilst they were praying, until the verse was revealed: “And stand before Allaah with obedience [and do not speak to others during the Salaah (prayers)]” [al-Baqarah 2:238]. Then we were commanded to remain silent and forbidden to speak. 

Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1142) and Muslim (539). 

Al-Nawawi said: 

With regard to the words: “And stand before Allaah with obedience [and do not speak to others during the Salaah (prayers)]” [al-Baqarah 2:238], it was said: What is meant is obedient, or silent. 

The phrase “Then we were commanded to remain silent and forbidden to speak” indicates that all kinds of human speech are forbidden during prayer. The scholars are unanimously agreed that speaking deliberately during the prayer, knowing that it is forbidden and for no purpose invalidates the prayer. End quote. 

Sharh Muslim (5/27). 

Secondly: 

Al-Nawawi said in Adaab Qira'at al-Qur'an: 

Chapter on the etiquette that is dictated by need. 

If he recites the words of Allah (interpretation of the meaning): “Allah sends His Salaah (Graces, Honours, Blessings, Mercy) on the Prophet (Muhammad), and also His angels (ask Allah to bless and forgive him)” [al-Ahzab 33:56], it is mustahab for him to say: “Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam tasleeman (May Allah send blessing and  peace upon him).” 

If one recites the verse “Is not Allah the Best of judges?” [al-Teen 95:5] or “Is not He (Allah Who does that) Able to give life to the dead?” [al-Qiyamah 75:40], it is mustahab to say: “Bala wa ana ‘ala dhaalika min al-shahideen (Yes indeed, and I am among those who bear witness to that)”. If he recites “In what message after this will they then believe?” [al-A'raf 7:185] it is mustahab to say “Amantu Billah (I believe in Allah).” 

All of that it is mustahab for the reciter to say whether during prayer or otherwise.  

A number of ahaadeeth have been narrated concerning that, some of which are saheeh and some are da’eef. 

Abu Dawood (884) narrated that Moosa ibn Abi ‘Aa’ishah said: A man was praying on the roof of his house, and when he recited: “Is not He (Allah Who does that) Able to give life to the dead?” [al-Qiyamah 75:40] he said: “Subhaanaka fa bala (Glory to be You, yes indeed).” They asked him about that and he said: “I heard it from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood. 

It was narrated from Ismaa’eel ibn Umayyah: I heard a Bedouin say: I heard Abu Hurayrah say: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever among you recites Wa’l-teeni wa’l-zaytoon (“By the fig, and the olive” Surah al-Teen 95), when he reaches the end of it, “Is not Allah the Best of judges?” [al-Teen 95:5], let him say: “Bala wa ana ‘ala zalika min al-shaahideen (Yes indeed, and I am among those who bear witness to that)”.  Whoever recites La uqsimu bi yawm al-qiyamah (“I swear by the Day of Resurrection” Surah al-Qiyamah 75), when he reaches the words “Is not He (Allah Who does that) Able to give life to the dead?” [al-Qiyamah 75:40], let him say: “Bala (Yes indeed). And whoever recites Wal-mursalaat (“By the winds (or angels or the Messengers of Allah) sent forth one after another” Soorat al-Mursalat 77), when he reaches the words “Then in what statement after this (the Quran) will they believe?” [al-Mursalat 77:50], let him say: Aamanna Billaah (We believe in Allah).’ 

Narrated by Abu Dawood (887). It was classed as da’eef by al-Albaani in Da’eef Abi Dawood. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said in al-Sharh al-Mumti’ (3/397-399): 

If the reciter says “Is not He (Allah Who does that) Able to give life to the dead?” [al-Qiyamah 75:40], then he may say: Bala (Yes indeed), or Subhaanaka fa bala (Glory be to You, yes indeed), because there is a hadith about that from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and Imam Ahmad stated that. Imam Ahmad said: If he recites “Is not He (Allah Who does that) Able to give life to the dead?” [al-Qiyamah 75:40] during prayer or otherwise, he may say, “Subhaanaka fa bala (Glory be to You, yes indeed)” both in obligatory and nawafil prayers. 

If he recites “Is not Allah the Best of judges?” [al-Teen 95:5], he should say, “Subhaanaka fa bala (Glory be to You, yes indeed)”.  

If he recites, “Is there any ilaah (god) with Allah?” [al-Naml 29:60], he may say, La ilaaha ill-Allaah (There is no god but Allah).

Thus it is clear that these phrases are not included in the speech that is forbidden during prayer and which invalidates it; rather what is forbidden during prayer is normal human speech as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “This prayer is not the right place for any of the people’s speech.” Narrated by Muslim (537). 

Al-Nawawi said: What this means is that it is not the right place for any of the people’s usual speech and conversation. End quote. 

And Allah knows best.

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