Chapter 97: Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed)
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: regarding the explanation of the Verse: -- '(O Muhammad!) Neither say your prayer aloud, nor say it in
a low tone.' ( 17.110) This Verse was revealed while Allah' s Messenger (ﷺ) was hiding himself at Mecca. At
that time, when he led his companions in prayer, he used to raise his voice while reciting the Qur' an;
and if the pagans heard him, they would abuse the Qur' an, its Revealer, and the one who brought it. So
Allah said to His Prophet: "Neither say your prayer aloud. i. e., your recitation (of Qur' an) lest the
pagans should hear (it) and abuse the Qur' an" nor say it in a low tone, "lest your voice should fail to
reach your companions, "but follow a way between." ( 17.110)
Sahih al-Bukhari 7525