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Level 4 :: Lesson 2

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Adhan (part 2 of 2): The Call to Prayer

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Description: Etiquette, iqamah, and special prayers

By Imam Mufti

Published on 16 Jan 2012 - Last modified on 25 Jun 2019

Printed: 723 - Emailed: 0 - Viewed: 41,469 (daily average: 9)

Prerequisites

·Prayer for Beginners (2 parts).

Objectives

·To identify the additional phrase said in the adhan of Fajr.

·To learn what is the iqamah.

·To learn two different ways the iqamah is made.

·To learn the etiquette of calling the adhan.

·To know the regulations of adhan for women.

·To learn how to respond to the adhan.

·To learn the supplication after the adhan.

·To learn the ruling of leaving the mosque after the adhan is called and before the salah.

Arabic Terms

·Adhan - an Islamic way of calling Muslims to the five obligatory prayers.

·Iqamah - This word refers to the second call to prayer that is given immediately before the prayer begins.

·Salah- the Arabic word to denote a direct connection between the believer and Allah. More specifically, in Islam it refers to the formal five daily prayers and is the most important form of worship.

·Hadith- (plural – ahadith) is a piece of information or a story. In Islam it is a narrative record of the sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad and his companions.

·Qiblah - The direction one faces during the formal prayers.

·Kabah- The cube-shaped structure located in the city of Mecca. It serves as a focal point towards which all Muslims face when praying.

·Du’a- supplication, prayer, asking Allah for something.

·Fajr - the morning prayer.

·Muezzin - The one who calls the Adhan.

·Dhikr - (plural: adhkar) remembrance of Allah.

“Prayer is better than sleep” in Adhan for Fajr

The adhan for Fajr salah has the additional words

As-salaatu khairun min an-naum
The prayer is better than sleep

The Prophet taught,

“If it is the morning adhan, say,

as-salaatu khairun min an-naum, as-salaatu khariun min annaum. Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar. La illaha illal-lah.”[1]

Iqamah

Right before the salah starts, the faithful are called again to let them know the prayer is about to begin. This call to prayer is called the Iqamah:

(I)

Allahu akbar
Allah is the Greatest

Ashhadu alla ilaha illal-lah
I testify there is no true Allah but Allah

Ashhadu anna Muhammad ar-Rasool-lal-lah
I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

Hayya ‘alas-salah
Come to prayer

Hayya ‘alal-falah
Come to success

Qad qaamat is-salah
Prayer is about to begin

Allahu akbar
Allah is the Greatest

La ilaha illal-lah[2]
There is no true Allah but Allah

(II)

Allahu akbar
Allah is the Greatest

Ashhadu alla ilaha illal-lah
I testify there is no true Allah but Allah

Ashhadu anna Muhammad ar-Rasool-lal-lah
I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

Hayya ‘alas-salah
Come to prayer

Hayya ‘alal-falah
Come to success

Qad qaamat is-salah
Prayer is about to begin

Allahu akbar
Allah is the Greatest

La ilaha illal-lah[3]
There is no true Allah but Allah

Etiquette of Calling the Adhan

(1) It is recommended for the man calling the adhan should be clean from major or minor impurities.

(2) The adhan is given standing and facing the qiblah (the direction of the Kabah).

(3) The caller turns with his head to the right upon saying “Hayya ‘alas-salah” and to the left upon saying “Hayya ‘alal-falah.”

(5) The index finger is put in the ears.

(6) The voice is to be raised, even if a man is alone. Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri, one of the Prophet’s companions, said to one of his students, “I see that you love the sheep and the desert. If you are with your sheep or in the desert, then raise your voice while making the call to prayer, for any jinn, human or thing within hearing distance of your voice will be a witness for you on the Day of Resurrection...I heard the Messenger of Allah say that.”[4]

(8) It is better not to speak to a man while he is calling the adhan or iqamah.

Azhan_(part_2_of_2)_-_The_Call_to_Prayer_001.jpg

Figure 1 ‘The Muezzin’s Call to Prayer’ from the Wallace Collection, London, by Jean-Leon Gerome (1824-1904) a French painter.

Women & Adhan

Can a woman call the adhan around men, or among a group of Muslim women, or if she is by herself? By the agreement of Muslim scholars, a Muslim woman is forbidden to call the adhan in the company of men. Allah has not charged her with calling the worshippers to the mosque. However, if she is in a group of Muslim women or by herself, she may call the adhan and iqamah in a low voice.

Responding to the Adhan

It is preferred for one who is reciting the Quran, engaged in dhikr (Allah’s remembrance), or studying, that he stop what he is doing and repeat the adhan after the caller to prayer. After it is over, one may resume. A person repeats each phrase after the adhan, except for the part:

Hayya ‘alas-salah the response is La haula wa la quwatah illa billah

Hayya ‘alal-falah the response is La haula wa la quwatah illa billah

The Prophet said:

‘La haula wa la quwatah illa billah (there is no ability or power except from Allah) is one of the treasures of Paradise.’[5]

Supplication after the Adhan

On the Day of Judgment Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him, will be an advocate for a person who supplicates to Allah with the special words he taught after hearing the adhan. The Messenger of Allah said:

“If you hear the call to prayer, repeat after it. Then supplicate for me, for whoever makes one supplication for me, Allah makes ten for him. Then ask Allah to grant me the place of wasilah. It is a place in Paradise reserved for one of the slaves of Allah. I hope to be him, and whoever asks Allah to grant me the place of wasilah, my intercession becomes permissible for him.” (Saheeh Muslim)

In another hadith, the Prophet taught the supplication:

“Whoever says (after) hearing the call to prayer,

‘Allaahumma Rabba haa-zihi’l-da’wat il-taammah wa’l-salaat ul-qaa’imah, aati Muhammada nil waseelata wa’l-fadeelah, wab’athhu maqaaman mahmooda nil lazi wa’at-ta (O Allah, Lord of this complete call and of the established prayers, grant Muhammad the place of wasilah, the most virtuous place and raise him to a praiseworthy position that you have promised him)’,

…will have my intercession made permissible for him on the Day of Judgment.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

One can also make individual supplications after the adhan, as that is one of the blessed times when the supplications are likely be accepted. The Prophet said:

“Supplication (du’a) is not rejected between the adhan and iqamah, so supplicate.” (Al-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud)

Leaving the Mosque after the Adhan and Before the Salah

It is not allowed to leave the mosque after the adhan has been called, unless there is a valid reason or one has the intention to return for the prayer. The Prophet told his companions:

“If one of you is in the mosque and the call is made, he should not leave the mosque until he prays.” (Ahmad)

Footnotes:

[1]Ahmad, Abu Dawud

[2] Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, Al-Tirmidhi

[3] Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhi, Nasai, Ibn Majah

[4] Ahmad, Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Nasai, Ibn Majah

[5] Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim

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