Why Pray Silently During Zuhr and ` Asr Prayers? Can you please explain why the Zuhr and `asr prayers are said silently, even though the Qur'an states that prayers should not be said silently or loudly but in a middle course. Regards JM Reply Offering the Zuhr and `asr prayers silently and the other three prayers in a raised voice is the established Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh). This is how the Prophet (pbuh) taught his companions to offer their prayers and this method has been transferred to us through practical perpetuation and conceptual consensus of all the companions of the Prophet (pbuh) and that of people of all the subsequent times. As far as the directive in the referred verse ( Al-Israa 17: 110) of the Qur'an is concerned, a close look at it shows that it addresses the Prophet (pbuh) in the first person. It directs the Prophet (pbuh) neither to raise his voice and nor to remain silent in "his" prayers. It is obvious from these words that the directive concerns the particular prayer which was specific to the Prophet (pbuh). This prayer was the Tahajjud prayer. We know that the Tahajjud prayer was obligatory only for the Prophet (pbuh) and not for other Muslims. Thus, the directive actually concerned Tahajjud prayer. We also know from various narratives of hadith that the Prophet (pbuh) offered his Tahajjud prayers in a slightly raised voice in compliance with the directive of the referred verse. Moreover, the Prophet (pbuh) also directed those of his companions, who used to offer this prayer to do so in a slightly raised voice. Thus, the directive in the referred verse does not relate to the five obligatory prayers. It is specific to the Tahajjud prayers. I hope this helps. In case any further explanation is required, please feel free to write back to me at your convenience. Regards The Learner