This is my perspective, and I hope readers approach it with an open mind and, let me admit, I can be wrong too. I am a student, like many other Kashmiri youth, striving to achieve my goals and build a future. I am a Muslim who does not see Islam merely as a religion but as a complete way of life, and I try my best to live according to its teachings. In the past, there were bans and strict restrictions on mosque loudspeakers.
I am neither defending those actions nor turning this into a political debate, because religion is often misused for political gain. What I wish to address is a practical concern.
I currently live in Srinagar, and I feel mosque loudspeakers here require proper regulation. Almost twenty days of Ramadan have passed, and I want to share my personal experience. I usually study until Sehri and then sleep afterward. However, nearby mosques switch on their loudspeakers around 4:30 a.m. and keep them on until nearly 8:00 a.m. This significantly disturbs my rest.
During the day, loudspeakers are again used for the remaining prayers. Is it truly necessary to use a microphone for every single prayer? I am not against the mic system itself, but the way it is being used seems excessive. In my view, it should be reserved for Eid prayers, Friday prayers, and important announcements, rather than being used continuously in a way that disturbs residents, non-Muslims, hospital patients, schoolchildren, and others.
At times, it almost feels like a competition over whose mosque has the loudest system, who speaks the loudest, or who recites more forcefully. Have loudspeakers become so essential that we are forgetting the essence of worship? Our Prophet (SAW) emphasized rest and consideration for others. It is said that if one’s recitation of the Quran disturbs someone, it should be lowered or stopped.
Islam teaches the principle of causing no harm, respecting neighbors, maintaining public order, and preventing inconvenience within the community. Causing disturbance cannot be justified in its name. Islam spread across the world long before loudspeakers or social media existed. When Hazrat Bilal gave the Azaan in his beautiful voice, the environment was tranquil, and his call reached people without technological amplification.
As societies modernized, loudspeakers were introduced. Using them for the Azaan is understandable, and I do not oppose that. In today’s crowded cities with high ambient noise, they may seem necessary.
However, two questions arise. If the purpose of amplifying the Azaan is to reach more people, why do not all those who hear it come to pray? When Hazrat Bilal gave the Azaan without amplification, even if his voice did not travel as far as modern speakers, more people appeared to attend prayers.
Today, although the sound reaches more ears than ever before, attendance often seems lower. I am not entirely against loudspeakers. I believe they should be used responsibly and regulated properly, and this responsibility primarily lies with mosque committees and imams. If a student like me feels disturbed due to disrupted sleep, one can imagine the condition of hospital patients, including those battling serious illnesses, or their attendants who already struggle to rest. Our Prophet (SAW) showed immense respect toward non-Muslims and people of other faiths. Disturbing anyone’s sleep early in the morning raises an ethical concern.
Loudspeakers are not compulsory in Islam; they are simply a modern tool. They should be used wisely. Ramadan is a blessed month, but fasting is not merely about abstaining from food and offering five daily prayers. It is about deepening our understanding of faith, reflecting on the Quran, and embracing the true purpose of self-discipline and compassion.
This discussion is not about opposing religion or questioning the importance of prayer or the Azaan. It is about balance, responsibility, and understanding the spirit of Islam. Our faith teaches compassion, respect for neighbors, and the principle of causing no harm. If our methods of worship unintentionally disturb students, patients, elders, children, or people of different faiths, then it becomes our duty to reflect and improve.
Loudspeakers are a tool, not an obligation. Their purpose should be to facilitate worship, not create discomfort or competition. True devotion lies not in the volume of sound but in the sincerity of the heart. Especially in Ramadan, we are reminded to practice patience, empathy, discipline, and self-reflection.
If we truly wish to honor the essence of Islam, our worship should strengthen community harmony rather than disturb it. With thoughtful regulation and mutual respect, we can uphold both our faith and our social responsibility. May we strive to practice our religion in a way that brings peace not only to ourselves, but to everyone around us. Ramadan Mubarak.
The author is a civil service aspirant and can be reached at mirdanish1717@gmail.com
