Abu Bakr ؓ used to recite in a low voice when he recited, and ‘Umar ؓ recited in a loud voice. When ʿAmmar ؓ recited, he would recite some from one soorah and some from another. That was mentioned to the Prophet ﷺ and he said to Abu Bakr ؓ ; ʿWhy do you recite in a low voice?ʿ He said: Because the One with Whom I am conversing can hear. He said to ʼUmar ؓ : “why do you recite out loud?” He said: To scare the Shaitan and awaken those who are asleep. He said to ‘Ammar ؓ : “Why do you recite some from one soorah and some from another?ʿ He said: Do you hear me mixing with it something that is not part of it? He said: ʿNo.ʿ Then he said: ʿAll of it is good.”
كَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يُخَافِتُ بِصَوْتِهِ إِذَا قَرَأَ وَكَانَ عُمَرُ يَجْهَرُ بِقِرَاءَتِهِ وَكَانَ عَمَّارٌ إِذَا قَرَأَ يَأْخُذُ مِنْ هَذِهِ السُّورَةِ وَهَذِهِ فَذُكِرَ ذَاكَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالَ لِأَبِي بَكْرٍ لِمَ تُخَافِتُ؟ قَالَ إِنِّي لَأُسْمِعُ مَنْ أُنَاجِي وَقَالَ لِعُمَرَ لِمَ تَجْهَرُ بِقِرَاءَتِكَ؟ قَالَ أُفْزِعُ الشَّيْطَانَ وَأُوقِظُ الْوَسْنَانَ وَقَالَ لِعَمَّارٍ وَلِمَ تَأْخُذُ مِنْ هَذِهِ السُّورَةِ وَهَذِهِ؟ قَالَ أَتَسْمَعُنِي أَخْلِطُ بِهِ مَا لَيْسَ مِنْهُ؟ قَالَ لَا قَالَ فَكُلُّهُ طَيِّبٌ