Darul Uloom Trinidad & Tobago

Q: In our area, Imam starts to make dua with such a voice that muqtadi could know that Imam has started to make dua. And all the muqtadi starts to make dua after listening the voice of Imam (e.g. if he starts dua with alhamdulillahi rabbil a’alameen, he says alhamdulillahi…… with voice and then make entire dua silently).
And he ends dua with voice so that muqtadis could know, and muqtadis also end their dua after listening his voice.
No one starts making dua before and none completes dua before Imam.
What is the shar’i status of this all described above?
Should Muqtadi not start making dua before Imam?
Should Imam inform muqtadees about his dua by starting it with voice? or he should starts his dua silently?
If one has finished his dua before Imam, should he wait untill Imam finisher? or one should stand up to offer sunnah (if sunnah are after that fardh salah)?

Please clarify the questions and the shari status of the custom of dua described above.
Jazakallah.

A: Assalamu Alaikum,

1. What you have described about the Imam’s action in Dua is permissible. There is no prohibition in this.

2. The Muqtadi can start to make Dua before the Imam.

3. There is no need for the Imam to inform the Muqtadis about his dua by starting with a voice. However, if he does so, it is allowed.

4. If one has finished his individual Dua before the Imam, then there is no need for him to wait until the Imam finishes. He can stand up to offer his Sunnah. However, if he has joined the Dua of the Imam, then he should wait until the Imam is finished.

Dua after Salaah is permissible. One can do it individually or collectively. It can also be done in a loud manner or silently.

And Allah Knows Best.

Mufti Waseem Khan.

26/11/2013