[23] Mistakes done by the Mu’aththin?n and those who hear the ’Ath?n:

It is worth mentioning, at the beginning of this section, that it is of great importance that there should be a Mu’aththin in every mosque to whom the Im?m [leader of Sal?t] could entrust his responsibilities. The prophet ( - صلى الله عليه وسلم -) used to entrust Ibn ’Umm Makt?m [and others] with his responsibilities as a leader of Sal?t while being away from Mad?nah. Those entrusted proved to be the best. The Mu’aththin should be of those who read and write well, know times of Sal?t, punctual in their ‘Ath?n and able to help muslims in their congregational Sal?t.

Unfortunately, many Mu’aththin?n in our mosques these days do not perceive the importance of the responsibility they bear upon their shoulders; this great rites amongst the Islamic rites ... !! Some of them do not even know how to recite the ‘Ath?n properly?!! (1)

The following points discuss mistakes many Mu’aththin?n do regarding the manner in which ‘Ath?n is recited; but first, it is of great importance to attract our readers’ attention to an important misconception people have regarding the legality of ‘Ath?n itself.

[1/ 23] Many people believe that reciting the ’Ath?n in the mosques in residence is a recommended act of worship‘ and this is a sheer falsehood no doubt. ‘Ath?n is indeed one of the greatest Islamic rites upon hearing which- in an area- the prophet ( - صلى الله عليه وسلم -) would refrain from invading its people- as is established in the Sah?hain and other Sunnah books. Many ahad?th state a clear order that it be pronounced, though one is enough for it to be considered as W?jib. Accordingly, pronouncing ‘Ath?n is Fard Kif?yah [collective duty]. (2) Im?m Ibn Taymiyyah held this view. The followers of Im?m M?lik and Ahmad, ‘At?’, Muj?hid and Al-’Awz?‘? shared him his view. Concerning this point Al-’Adaw? held that it [the ‘Ath?n] is a collective duty in the Muslim country; if abandoned, its