What should the worshipper say if the Imam says, "Allah hears the one who praises Him"?
The Imam says upon rising from bowing (ruku'): "Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa laka al-hamd mil'a as-samawati wa mil'a al-ardi wa mil'a ma shi'ta min shay'in ba'd." As for the worshipper (ma'mum), it is not prescribed for him to say "Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah"; rather, he only says: "Rabbana wa laka al-hamd..." This is the madhhab of Malik, Abu Hanifa, and Ahmad, and the view of Ibn Mas'ud, Ibn 'Umar, Abu Hurayrah, and Ash-Sha'bi. Whereas Ash-Shafi'i, Abu Yusuf, Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah, Ishaq, and Ibn Sirin are of the view that the worshipper says it just like the Imam. The first madhhab is closer to what is correct, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): "When the Imam says 'Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah,' then say 'Rabbana wa laka al-hamd'."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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