Every Muslim says it multiple times a day — after al-Fatihah in prayer, after making dua, and when hearing others supplicate. But what does Amin actually mean, and what have the scholars said about it? The discussion below draws on the explanation of Imam al-Qurtubi in his tafsir.
What Does Amin Mean?
Imam al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) gathered several explanations of the word Amin. The most commonly cited meaning is "O Allah, answer our supplication" — making Amin itself a form of dua. Others said it means "let it be so," or "do not disappoint our hopes." Al-Qurtubi also relates a report that Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about its meaning, and that he answered: "Lord, do it!"
Some early scholars held that Amin is one of the names of Allah, though al-Qurtubi notes this position is not well-established. The understanding the majority settled upon is that it is a supplication asking Allah to grant what was asked for.
The Reward of Saying Amin in Prayer
The reward attached to this single word is immense. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Say Amin when the Imam says it and if the Amin of any one of you coincides with that of the angels then all his past sins will be forgiven. (Sahih al-Bukhari 780)
The scholars have noted the conditions gathered in this narration: the imam saying Amin, the congregation saying Amin, and one's Amin coinciding with that of the angels. This is an enormous reward attached to a single word said in prayer. For the full conditions, pillars, and description of how the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed, see our complete guide: Salah: The Second Pillar of Islam. This same care for every word and action within the salah is also explored in our piece on Servitude in al-Sujud.
Should the Imam Say Amin Out Loud?
This is a matter on which the scholars have differed. The position of al-Shafi'i, Ahmad, and Ishaq is that the imam says Amin out loud. Their evidence includes the narration of Wa'il ibn Hujr (may Allah be pleased with him):
When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) recited the verse "Nor of those who go astray" (Surah al-Fatihah 1:7), he would say Amin; and he raised his voice (while uttering this word). (Sunan Abi Dawud 932)
Al-Qurtubi mentions that Ibn az-Zubayr and those praying behind him would say Amin until the mosque reverberated with it. Some other scholars, including some of the Malikis, held that the imam says it silently. The stronger evidence supports saying it audibly in the congregational prayer, as this is what is established from the practice of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions.
A Gift Specific to This Ummah
Saying Amin is among the distinctions Allah granted this ummah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
The Jews do not envy you for anything more than they envy you for the Salam and (saying) Amin, so say Amin a great deal. (Sunan Ibn Majah 856, graded authentic by al-Albani)
That something as light on the tongue as Amin should be a cause of envy from those who came before us shows how much good Allah has placed in it. The believer who understands this will not say it absent-mindedly, but with presence of heart, knowing it is a supplication in its own right.
Understanding the words we use in prayer and dua increases our concentration and connection to Allah. For a thorough, evidence-based study of the rulings of salah, we recommend The Concise Presentation of the Fiqh of the Sunnah and the Noble Book by Dr. Abdul-Azeem Badawi | $30.00. If you are looking for books on Tafsir and Quranic sciences to deepen your understanding of what you recite, browse our Tafsir collection at The Islamic Book Cafe.
Baarakallahu feekum — The Islamic Book Cafe | Portland, Oregon
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