What Is Adhan in Islam?

Name of Questioner: JT

Date: 12-12-2016 09:41:40 AM

Consultant: Ask About Islam Editorial Staff

Question:

What is Adhan in Islam?

Dear questioner, thank you very much for your important question.

Adhan (the call to prayer) is the signal that the time for Prayer has begun. Through the use of prescribed words, the Muslim community is summoned to attend Prayers which will lead to their prosperity in this life and in the Hereafter.

Adhan is itself an act of worship which precedes Prayer and as such is one of the most important religious ceremonies in Islam and the most widely recognized characteristic of the religion. It was introduced in the first year of Hijrah (emigration from Makkah) following which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) observed it night and day, whether at home or traveling. On no occasion until the day of his death was it known of him to break this ritual, nor is there any known instance in which he granted a dispensation from the rule. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) continued to observe the rule until it became a duty – or the equivalent of a duty – because of the Prophet’s order which is preserved in a number of hadiths.

Description of Adhan

Adhan, according to the authentic hadiths, is as follows:

  • “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.)
  • Ash-hadu alla ilaha illa-llah. (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah.)
  • Ash-hadu alla ilaha illa-llah. (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah.)
  • Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasulullah. (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.)
  • Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasulullah. (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.)
  • Hayya ‘ala-s-Salah, hayya ‘ala-s-Salah. (Come to Prayer, come to Prayer.)
  • Hayya ‘ala-l-falah, hayya ‘ala-l-falah. (Come to prosperity, come to prosperity.)
  • Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. (Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.)
  • La ilaha illa-llah (There is no god but Allah.)

In the Morning Prayer only, after saying “Come to prosperity”, the muezzin (one who calls the Adhan) says,

  • As-Salatu khairun min an-naum, As-Salatu khairun min an-naum. (Prayer is better than sleep, Prayer is better than sleep.)

Then he continues with: “Allah is the Greatest. Allah is the Greatest. There is no god but Allah.”

`Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said that he had heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say, “When you hear the muezzin, repeat what he says, then invoke a blessing on me, for everyone who invokes a blessing on me will receive ten blessings from Allah; then beg from Allah Al-Wasilah for me, which is a rank in Paradise fitting for only one of Allah’s servants, and I hope that I may be that one. If anyone who asks that I be given Al-Wasilah, he will be assured of my intercession.” (Muslim)

The preferable supplication which is said after each Call to Prayer is that which our Prophet has taught us: “O Allah, Lord of all supplications and steadfast Prayer! Grant Muhammad the most favored and excellent position. Admit him to the praiseworthy place that You have promised him.”

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Source: Taken with modifications from Prayerinislam.com