Q 2: What is the ruling on beautifying one’s voice when reciting the Qur’an or announcing the Adhan (call to Prayer)?

A: If beautifying the voice when reciting them does not reach the level of singing them, this is permissible. (Part No. 4; Page No. 37)  Ibn Al-Qayyim (may Allah be merciful to him) said: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) liked a beautiful voice calling the Adhan and reciting the Qur’an and would listen to it." It is authentically reported that he (peace be upon him) said: Allah does not listen to anything as He listens to a prophet with a beautiful voice reciting the Qur’an sweetly and loudly. (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim) He (peace be upon him) also said: Beautify the Qur’an with your voices. (Related by Ahmad and the Compliers of the Sunan, except Al-Tirmidhy, and also by Ibn Hibban and Al-Hakim, on the authority of Al-Bara’) Al-Hakim related it with the following addition: ... For a beautiful voice increases the beauty of the Qur’an. Some scholars are of the opinion that: The meaning of Taghanny (beautifying one's voice) when reciting the Qur’an is to recite the Qur’an properly, in a beautiful, modulated, raised voice in accordance with what Abu Musa said to the Prophet (peace be upon him): "Had I known that you were listening to my recitation, I would have embellished it for you." Reciting the Qur’an or Adhan in a melodious and musical rhythm is not permissible. Ibn Qudamah (may Allah be merciful to him) said in Al-Mughny: "Abu ‘Abdullah hated melodious recitations and said that it is Bid‘ah (innovation in religion)." (Part No. 4; Page No. 38) He further stated: "The opinion expressed by Ahmad should be understood in the context of exaggerating the recitation to the extent of turning diacritical marks into letters or lengthening short vowels." May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.