Expert: Muhammad Omer Iqbal - 10/17/2004

Question
Assalamu Alaikum,

I am a bit confused that certain schools of thought propogate to ask du'a for only oneself. whereas others say we can say AAMEEN for the duas recited by an imaam.

My question is whether it is correct to say aameen when the imaam says du'as in a congregation (like jummah or even in a group in say mount arafat during haj).

this will help me in my Haj as well inshallah, so may Allah protect me from the wrong deeds.

Wassalam
Ackiyl


Answer
Wa aleikum us salaam,

Dear Ackiyl,

I think that when the Imam is saying the dua and one is listening to it and believes in what the Imam is saying, then there is no harm in saying 'Ameen' so long as one genuinly believes in that dua and wants God to accept it.

If one just says 'Ameen' without knowing what the Imam is saying, then it cannot be called as wrong, but it does defeat the purpose of offering supplications together.

There is no harm for anyone to pray for others, in fact it is good, as long as we do not ask for help from dead, such as the saints or the prophets, or expect them to help us.

I hope this answers your question. If not, please feel free to write back.

Best Regards,
Muhammad Omer Iqbal
www.omeriqbal.com