The Prophet (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 Prophet (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 926 | The Book of the Commencement of the Prayer
Meaning of "Amin"
The word "Amin" signifies "O Allah, answer our supplication" or "So be it." It is a profound invocation affirming the prayer recited in Surah al-Fatihah, where the worshipper seeks guidance to the Straight Path.
The Congregational Response
This hadith establishes the Sunnah of saying "Amin" aloud in congregation after the Imam completes reciting Surah al-Fatihah. The congregation should synchronize their response with the Imam's "Amin" to attain the promised reward.
Angelic Participation
The angels descend during prayer and join the congregation in saying "Amin," creating a spiritual harmony between the earthly and heavenly realms. This divine convergence elevates the worship's significance.
Divine Forgiveness
The magnificent reward for synchronizing one's "Amin" with the angels is the forgiveness of all previous sins. This demonstrates Allah's immense mercy and the tremendous spiritual value of this simple yet powerful act of worship.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam an-Nawawi explains that this hadith shows the excellence of saying "Amin" in prayer and the importance of congregation. Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes that the forgiveness applies to minor sins, while major sins require specific repentance, demonstrating Islam's comprehensive approach to spiritual purification.