Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith 616 – Volume 9, Book 93

English

Volume 9, Book 93, Number 616:
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
regarding the explanation of the Verse:– '(O Muhammad!) Neither say your prayer aloud, nor say
it in a low tone.' (17.110) This Verse was revealed while Allah's Apostle was hiding himself at Mecca.
At that time, when he led his companions in prayer, he used to raise his voice while reciting the
Qur'an; and if the pagans heard him, they would abuse the Qur'an, its Revealer, and the one who
brought it. So Allah said to His Prophet: "Neither say your prayer aloud. i.e., your recitation (of
Qur'an) lest the pagans should hear (it) and abuse the Quran" nor say it in a low tone, "lest your
voice should fail to reach your companions, "but follow a way between." (17.110)