“Say to them (O Messenger!): ‘Call upon Him as al-Rahmān; call Him by whichever name you will, all His names are good. Neither offer your Prayer in too loud a voice, nor in a voice too low; but follow a middle course.’ And say: ‘All praise be to Allah Who has neither taken to Him a son, nor has He any partner in His kingdom; nor does He need, out of weakness, anyone to protect Him.’ So magnify Him greatly.”
(Al-Qur’ān – 17:110-111)
The verse 17:110 is in response the polytheists’ objection to calling God by the name al-Rahmān. They claimed that while they were familiar with the appellation Allah, there seemed no justification for using the appellation al-Rahmān. Their objection was based on their unfamiliarity with this word as a personal name of God.
According to Ibn Abbās, when the Holy Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) or his companions offered Prayers in Makkah or recited the Qur’ān, the unbelievers often made noises and even hurled abuse at them. The believers were, therefore, counselled neither to recite in such a loud voice that would attract the attention of the unbelievers who might interrupt their Prayers, nor to recite in a voice inaudible even to people close by. During the Madinan period of the Messenger’s life when the situation changed altogether, there was no need to follow this injunction. However, whenever Muslims are faced with the kind of circumstances which they encountered during the Makkan period of the Messenger’s life, they should follow the directive laid down here.