Opening Takbir, & Invocations

Question: The takbir-tahrimshould be loud enough for one to hear it himself.  Is this correct?  What if there is enough noise that one cannot hear oneself say the takbir-tahrimor subsequent takbirsor tasbihduring salah?  Does he say them louder so he can hear himself or say them at the same audible level as if though he were praying without noise around him?

The opening takbir, like other recitation and invocations, has to be loud enough for one to have heard it had there been no surrounding noises. This is the more correct opinion, and was chosenby the majority of Hanafi imams as being sounder. However, another opinion that is correctis that a minimally valid recitation is for one to pronounce the letters with one’s mouth, even if no sound is made. This was the position of  Imamal-Karkhi(an early imam of our school), and deemed the closest to fiqhiprinciples by none less than Imam al-Kasani, author of the unique jewel of a text, Bada’i` al-Sana’i`. Some major fuqahaof the 20^th Century, including Imam AshrafAli, declared the fatwa to be on this position. Mufti MahmoudUsmani said that many others concurred with him, because of the widespread ignorance of basic rulings such as the minimally valid recitation. Thus, the first opinion is more cautious, while the second is a mercy for those with past mistakes or the ignorant. [IbnAbidin, Lubab, and Imdadal-Fatawa.]

Note, however, that just “thinking about” the Qur’anwithout pronouncing the letters or making a sound is absolutely notvalid, and such prayers have to be repeated.  

At what point does the muqallidintiatesalams?  (i.e. after the Imam STARTS the salamto the right OR after the Imam completes the salamto the right OR after the Imam has started the salamto the left? etc. etc.).  Likewise when does the muqallidinitiate the other acts of salah?  After the Imam has given the takbirto go into the next act or as soon as the Imam has given the takbir?

The follower starts his final salamsright with the imam, though being careful to stay behind the imam. This applies to all actions of the prayer: One follows the imam right away,  whilebeing careful to stay behind him. This is the position of Imam Abu Hanifa(Allah have mercy on him), and is superior to his Companions’ position that one starts one’s salamsafter the imam. The difference, though, is in terms of superiority not validity. [IbnAbidin.]

Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani