Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs has imposed restrictions on the use of loudspeakers in mosques, allowing the use of loudspeakers only for calls for prayers (Azan) and Iqamat.
A circular has been issued by Abdul Latif Al Sheikh, Saudi Islamic Affairs minister, to all mosques across the Kingdom, to limit the use of loudspeakers only for Azaan and Iqama and lower the volume of loudspeakers to one-third level.
Azan is the first call for prayer, while Iqamat is the second call for prayer, indicating the Imam has taken his place facing towards the Kaaba and the Prayer is about to commence.
The circular is based on Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Hadith in which he said: “Lo! every one of you is calling his Lord quietly. One should not trouble the other and one should not raise the voice in recitation or in prayer over the voice of the other.”
The rule is also based on fatwas by most senior Islamic scholars like Sheikh Mohammed bin Saleh Al Othaimeen and Saleh Al Fawzan, that loudspeakers in mosques should only be used for Azan and Iqamat.
The ministry confirmed that legal action will be taken against whoever violates, noting that it based its decision on legal evidence and rules, which fall under the rule (no harm or harm), in addition to the fatwa of Sheikh Al-Uthaimin and Al-Fawzan, not to use external amplifiers other than the ears.
The ministry clarified in the circular that the basic principle is to inform (whoever is inside the mosque), and there is no legal need (to notify the snappers in their homes).
Al-Fawzan said during a television interview on the (Saudi) channel: “Some imams raise the voice of the speaker outside the mosque, and it is assumed that the sound inside the mosque is to be heard only by the attendees, not the streets or houses and markets, so this has no benefit, rather it harms the homes, the sick and those who pray in their homes.”
Al-Fawzan called at the time the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Mosques to pledge to these mosques, and to take it at the hands of those who do not take into account the conditions of Prime Time Zone, as he put it.
