Adhan (part 2 of 2): The Call to Prayer
Description: Etiquette, iqamah, and special prayers
By Imam Mufti
Published on 16 Jan 2012 - Last modified on 25 Jun 2019
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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
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
Qad qaamat is-salah
Prayer is about to begin
Allahu akbar
Allah is the Greatest
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
Allahu akbar
Allah is the Greatest
Allahu akbar
Allah is the Greatest
Allahu akbar
Allah is the Greatest
Ashhadu alla ilaha
illal-lah
I testify there is no true Allah but Allah
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
Ashhadu anna Muhammad
ar-Rasool-lal-lah
I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
Hayya ‘alas-salah
Come to prayer
Hayya ‘alas-salah
Come to prayer
Hayya ‘alal-falah
Come to success
Hayya ‘alal-falah
Come to success
Qad qaamat is-salah
Prayer is about to begin
Qad qaamat is-salah
Prayer is about to begin
Allahu akbar
Allah is the Greatest
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.
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)
Previous Lesson: Adhan (part 1 of 2): The Call to Prayer
Next Lesson: Shirk & its Types (part 1 of 3)
- Adhan (part 1 of 2): The Call to Prayer
- Adhan (part 2 of 2): The Call to Prayer
- Shirk & its Types (part 1 of 3)
- Shirk & its Types (part 2 of 3)
- Shirk & its Types (part 3 of 3)
- Recommended Acts of Ritual Bath (Ghusl)
- Reflections on Surah al-Fatiha (part 1 of 3)
- Reflections on Surah al-Fatiha (part 2 of 3)
- Reflections on Surah al-Fatiha (part 3 of 3)
- Dry Ablution (Tayammum)
- Introduction to Sects (part 1 of 2)
- Introduction to Sects (part 2 of 2)
- Protection from Evil (part 1 of 2)
- Protection from Evil (part 2 of 2)
- Perfecting Our Character
- Introduction to the Purification of the Soul (part 1 of 2)
- Introduction to the Purification of the Soul (part 2 of 2)
- The Islamic Dress Code (part 1 of 3)
- The Islamic Dress Code (part 2 of 3): Awrah & Mahrams
- The Islamic Dress Code (part 3 of 3): Prayer & Wisdom
- Satan: Humankind’s Worst Enemy (part 1 of 2)
- Satan: Humankind’s Worst Enemy (part 2 of 2)
- Supplication (part 1 of 2)
- Supplication (part 2 of 2)
- The Mercy of Allah (part 1 of 2)
- The Mercy of Allah (part 2 of 2)
- Role Models in Islam (part 1 of 2): TheFirst Generation of Muslims
- Role Models in Islam (part 2 of 2)
- Trials and Tribulations after Conversion (part 1 of 2): Allah’smercy is embedded in the difficulties of life
- Trials and Tribulations after Conversion (part 2 of 2)