Question:
Assalamualaikum wbt,
I have a question. What is the ruling of talking after we are standing for prayer (after the iqamah was called) but before the takbiratul ihram? Hope for an explanation.
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wrm. wbt.,
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
We will start with the words of the Prophet PBUH:
مَن كانَ يُؤْمِنُ باللَّهِ واليَومِ الآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْرًا أوْ لِيَصْمُتْ
“He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, must speak good or remain silent.”
Sahih al-Bukhari (6018) and Sahih Muslim (47)
As a Muslim, we are commanded to speak of good and beneficial matters and protect our tongues from uttering bad things that increase our sins.
The Ruling of Talking After Iqamah
Coming back to the question asked, actions performed after the iqamah is permissible and there is no need for the iqamah to be repeated. From a narration from Abu Hurairah RA, he said:
أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاةُ، فَسَوّى النّاسُ صُفُوفَهُمْ، فَخَرَجَ رَسولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ، فَتَقَدَّمَ، وهو جُنُبٌ، ثُمَّ قالَ: على مَكانِكُمْ فَرَجَعَ فاغْتَسَلَ، ثُمَّ خَرَجَ ورَأْسُهُ يَقْطُرُ ماءً، فَصَلّى بهِمْ
Once Iqama was pronounced and the people had straightened the rows, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) went forward (to lead the prayer) but he was Junub, so he said, "Remain in your places." And he went out, took a bath and returned with water trickling from his head. Then he led the prayer.
Sahih al-Bukhari (640) and Sahih Muslim (605)
Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani stated:
وَجَوَازُ الْفَصْلِ بَيْنَ الْإِقَامَةِ وَالصَّلَاةِ لِأَنَّ قَوْلَهُ فَصَلَّى ظَاهِرٌ فِي أَنَّ الْإِقَامَةَ لَمْ تُعَدْ
“It shows the permissibility of a duration that separates between the iqamah and prayer (takbiratul ihram) because of the phrase ‘The he led prayer’, and literally it is understood that the iqamah was not repeated.” (See Fath al-Bari, 2/122)
In another narration from Abdullah ibn Umar R.Anhuma, the Prophet PBUH said:
أقيمُوا الصفوفَ وحاذُوا بين المناكبِ وسُدُّوا الخَللَ
"Arrange the rows in order, stand shoulder to shoulder, close the gaps,”
Sunan Abu Daud (666)
Imam al-Nawawi said:
وَفِيهِ جَوَازُ الْكَلَامِ بَيْنَ الْإِقَامَةِ وَالدُّخُولِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ وَهَذَا مَذْهَبُنَا وَمَذْهَبُ جَمَاهِيرِ الْعُلَمَاءِ وَمَنَعَهُ بَعْضُ الْعُلَمَاءِ وَالصَّوَابُ الْجَوَازُ وَسَوَاءٌ كَانَ الْكَلَامُ لمصلحة الصلاة أو لغيرها
“The hadith shows the permissibility on talking between the iqamah and prayer (before takbiratul ihram). This is the opinion of our madhhab (madhhab Syafie) and the madhhab of the majority of scholars, although some scholars restrict it (talking after the iqamah). However, the accurate opinion is that it is permissible to talk, regardless of whether it is about the prayer or something else.” (See al-Minhaj Syarh Sahih Muslim, 4/157)
He also stated in another book:
مَذْهَبُنَا وَمَذْهَبُ الْجُمْهُورِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْحِجَازِ وَغَيْرِهِمْ جَوَازُ الْكَلَامِ بَعْدَ إقَامَةِ الصَّلَاةِ قَبْلَ الْإِحْرَامِ لَكِنَّ الْأَوْلَى تَرْكُهُ إلَّا لِحَاجَةٍ وَكَرِهَهُ أَبُو حَنِيفَةَ وَغَيْرُهُ مِنْ الْكُوفِيِّينَ
“According to our madhhab (madhhab Syafie) and majority of scholars from Hijaz and others, it is permissible to talk after the call of iqamah and before takbiratul ihram. However, it is better to avoid talking unless it is a necessity. While Abu Hanifah and other scholars who are from Kufah are of the opinion that it is makruh (undesirable).” (See al-Majmu’ Syarh al-Muhazzab, 4/227)
Conclusion
According to the above discussion, we conclude that it is permissible to talk after the iqamah is called, even when a person is already standing in saf to start the prayer as long as it is before the takbiratul ihram. However, this should be avoided as to not disturb others who are preparing themselves to focus to pray and worship Allah SWT.
May Allah SWT give us all a clear understanding in practising religion. Amin.