"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'When the reciter says Amin, then say: "Amin" too, for the angels say Amin and if a person's Amin coincides with the Amin of the angels, Allah will forgive his previous sins"
Hadith Text & Reference
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'When the reciter says Amin, then say: "Amin" too, for the angels say Amin and if a person's Amin coincides with the Amin of the angels, Allah will forgive his previous sins'"
Source: Sunan an-Nasa'i 925 | Book: The Book of the Commencement of the Prayer
Commentary on the Meaning
The term "Amin" signifies "O Allah, respond" or "Accept our supplication," serving as a profound plea for divine acceptance of the worshipper's prayer. This hadith establishes the collective response of "Amin" following the Imam's recitation of Surah al-Fatihah as a confirmed Sunnah practice.
The instruction to synchronize one's "Amin" with the congregation and angels demonstrates the spiritual significance of unity in worship. This synchronization represents the believer's alignment with both the earthly and heavenly realms in seeking Allah's acceptance.
Theological Significance
The promise of forgiveness for previous sins indicates the immense spiritual weight of this simple utterance. When the believer's "Amin" coincides with that of the angels, it creates a moment of divine convergence where heavenly and earthly worship unite.
Scholars explain that this forgiveness pertains to minor sins, as major sins require specific repentance. The timing and unity of the congregation's response reflect the importance of following the Imam in prayer and maintaining the collective spirit of worship.
Practical Implementation
The worshipper should pronounce "Amin" audibly but not excessively loud, following the Imam's recitation. This practice applies to both audible and silent prayers where al-Fatihah is recited.
The hadith emphasizes the importance of conscious presence during prayer, as the believer must be attentive to the Imam's recitation to properly time their response. This mindfulness transforms a routine utterance into a powerful spiritual instrument for seeking divine forgiveness.