Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
I sometimes find myself praying with background noise, some group of people talking in the back, or kids screaming around. I was once told that if one is having trouble reciting, one can recite out loud (even as loud as an imam during loud rakas) and one’s prayer will still be valid. But as far as I know reciting silently in Sunnahs etc… is Wajib. So is this wajib exused in certain cases? Please offer advice on what to do if one finds themselves in such a situation of noise
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
I pray that this finds you well, and in the best of health and spirits. May Allah grant you all good and success in this life and the next.
There is nothing wrong with raising one’s voice slightly (such that one is reciting in a “loud whisper” but not “out loud”) in the quiet prayers, especially when it helps one concentrate in the presence of distractions. [Tahtawi, Hashiyat Maraqi al-Falah]
Seeking Quiet
At the same time, one should strive to pray in a place where one minimizes distractions, for the soul of prayer is one’s turning to Allah and presence of heart with Him.
And Allah alone gives success.
Faraz Rabbani