Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
The takbir-tahrim should be loud enough for one to hear it himself. Is this correct? What if there is enough noise that one cannot hear oneself say the takbir-tahrim or subsequent takbirs or tasbih during salah? Does he say them louder so he can hear himself or say them at the same audible level as if though he were praying without noise around him?
The opening takbir, like other recitation and invocations, has to be loud enough for one to have heard it had there been no surrounding noises. This is the more correct opinion, and was chosen by the majority of Hanafi imams as being sounder. However, another opinion that is correct is that a minimally valid recitation is for one to pronounce the letters with one’s mouth, even if no sound is made. This was the position of Imam al-Karkhi(an early imam of our school), and deemed the closest to fiqhi principles by none less than Imam al-Kasani, author of the unique jewel of a text, Bada’i` al-Sana’i`. Some major fuqaha of the 20th Century, including Imam Ashraf Ali, declared the fatwa to be on this position. Mufti Mahmoud Usmani said that many others concurred with him, because of the widespread ignorance of basic rulings such as the minimally valid recitation. Thus, the first opinion is more cautious, while the second is a mercy for those with past mistakes or the ignorant. [Ibn Abidin, Lubab, and Imdad al-Fatawa.]
Note, however, that just “thinking about” the Qur’an without pronouncing the letters or making a sound is absolutely not valid, and such prayers have to be repeated.
At what point does the muqallid initiate salams? (i.e. after the Imam STARTS the salam to the right OR after the Imam completes the salam to the right OR after the Imam has started the salam to the left? etc. etc.). Likewise when does the muqallid initiate the other acts of salah? After the Imam has given the takbir to go into the next act or as soon as the Imam has given the takbir?
The follower starts his final salams right with the imam, though being careful to stay behind the imam. This applies to all actions of the prayer: One follows the imam right away, while being careful to stay behind him. This is the position of Imam Abu Hanifa (Allah have mercy on him), and is superior to his Companions’ position that one starts one’s salams after the imam. The difference, though, is in terms of superiority not validity. [Ibn Abidin.]
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani