Saying 'Amen' in Salah

Q: Islam is based on four Madh-habs (School of Jurisprudence). The people of Najran do not say 'Amin' when the Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer) finishes reciting Surah Al-Fatihah on the grounds of following the Hanafi School. Those who follow `Aly Al-Makramy do not offer the congregational Salah except with the permission of their aforementioned leader.

A: Firstly, Islam is the true religion in the sight of Allah. Its rulings are based on the Glorious Qur'an, the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) and the evidence deduced from these two sources. The Imams of the four famous Madh-habs and other Mujtahids (scholars qualified to exercise juristic effort to infer expert legal rulings) deduce rulings from such evidence as much as their knowledge in religion enables them. Each one of them is to be acknowledged the right rulings they conclude and denied the wrong ones. In all cases the criterion for judging their opinions will be the Glorious Qur'an, the Sunnah and the reliable evidence deduced from both of them. Secondly, The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) prescribed saying 'Amin' after reciting Surah Al-Fatihah during (Part No. 6; Page No. 421) Salah both verbally and practically. It is related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "When the Imam says, 'Amin' say, 'Amin,' because if anyone's utterance of 'Amin' coincides with that of the angels, their past sins will be forgiven." It is also related by Abu Dawud and Al-Tirmidhy on the authority of Wa'il ibn Hujr (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: "When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) recited the Ayah: ...nor of those who went astray. He used to say 'Amin;' raising his voice (while uttering this word)." The majority of the Muslim scholars, including the followers of the Hanafi School, adopted this opinion. However, the followers of the Hanafi School do not utter 'Amin' aloud, though the above-mentioned Hadith provides evidence on the loud utterance of that word. Thirdly, offering the Five Obligatory Daily prayers congregationally is obligatory according to the sound opinions of the Muslim scholars. No permission should be sought to stop offering the congregational prayers, neither from Al-Makramy nor from anyone else. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.