Q 9:
Should Ta'min (saying: "Amin" after reciting Surah Al-Fatihah) in Jahri Salah (Prayer recited aloud) be said with the Imam (leader of congregational Prayer) or after him?
A:
Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated,
When the Imam pronounces Ta'min, follow him, for if anyone's utterance of Ta'min coincides with that of the angels, they will be forgiven their past sins.
Ibn Shihab said,
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to say “Amin.”
Narrated by the Group of Compilers of Hadith (Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, Al-Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah). However,
Al-Tirmidhy
did not mention the saying of
Ibn Shihab. In another narration,
When the Imam says,
...not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (i.e. those who knew the Truth, but did not follow it) nor of those who went astray (i.e. those who did not follow the Truth out of ignorance and error).
Say "Amin", as the angels say "Amin" at the same time. Those whose utterance of Ta'min coincides with that of the angels, their past sins will be forgiven.
Narrated by Ahmad and Al-Nasa'i.
Abu Hurayrah narrated that
whenever the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) recited
...not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (i.e. those who knew the Truth, but did not follow it) nor of those who went astray (i.e. those who did not follow the Truth out of ignorance and error).
He said "Amin" so that those behind him in the first row could hear it.
Narrated by
Abu Dawud and
Ibn Majah.
He also said, "So that those in the first row could hear it and voices would reverberate in the Masjid (mosque)."
(Part No. 6; Page No. 424)
Wa'il ibn Hujr (may Allah be pleased with him) said
I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) reciting
...not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (i.e. those who knew the Truth, but did not follow it) nor of those who went astray (i.e. those who did not follow the Truth out of ignorance and error).
And then he said "Amin" in a prolonged voice.
Narrated by
Ahmad,
Abu Dawud, and
Al-Tirmidhy.
Thus, it becomes evident that it is permissible for Ma'mums (persons being led by an Imam in Prayer) to say "Amin" when the Imam recites
...nor of those who went astray.
Whether he says "Amin" or not. Ta'min is a Sunnah (action following the teachings of the Prophet) to be done by anyone praying, and it is not conditioned upon the Ta'min of the Imam.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.