Adhan

 

Adhan (Call to prayer)

 

The adhan is a call that uses specific words to inform others that the time for salat has begun. It is a call to offer salat in congregation.

Adhan is a sunnah for the prescribed prayers, whether they are offered on time or later. It is a sunnah mu’akkadah (stressed or confirmed sunnah). It is kifaya sunnah on the community, which means that it must be done, but the requirement is satisfied if even one of the group performs it. For a person praying individually, it is sunnah ‘ayniyya (sunnah on each person) 

Date of its legislation: The adhan was made part of the shariah during the first year after the migration to Madinah.

 

Proof of its legislation:

{O you who believe, when the call for salat is made on Friday, proceed to the remembrance of Allah, and leave the trading behind. That is better for you, if you only knew .} (Surah Al-Jumu’ah, 62:9)

The Messenger (PBUH) said, “When it is the time for prayer, one of you should pronounce the adhan, and the oldest of you should lead the prayer.” (Related by Bukhari and Muslim).

 

Adhan words

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. …  God is Great, God is Great.

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. …  God is Great, God is Great.

Ash-hadu allaa illaha ilAllah….I bear witness that there is no God but Allah.

Ash-hadu allaa illaha ilAllah…. I bear witness that there is no God but Allah.

Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar Rasul-Allah...I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

 Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar Rasul-Allah...I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

Hayya‘ alas salaah ,hayya‘ alas salaah...Come to the prayer ,Come to prayer.

  Hayya‘ alal falaah ,hayya‘ alal falaah...Come to the success ,Come to success

Come to the success ,Come to success      Hayya‘ alal falaah ,hayya‘ alal falaah.

Allahu Akbar ,Allahu Akbar...Allah is Great ,Allah is Great.

La illaha il-Allah...There is no God but Allah.

During the Adhan for Fajr Prayer ,the following words are added after“ haya‘ alal falaah”

Assalaatu khairum munan nawm, assalaatu khairum minan nawm...The prayer is better than sleep The prayer is better than sleep.

 

Adhan requirements:

 

1. The caller to prayer  should be: male, Muslim, sane, and adult. (A young boy at the age of discrimination can be allowed to give the adhan under supervision.)

2. The prescribed sequence of the adhan must be followed.

3. There should not be long pauses between the words of the adhan.

4. It is obligatory to raise the voice if calling a group, but if it is (calling only for one) and inside a masjid which has not prayed the congregational prayer, then it is sunnah to raise the voice in adhan. If it is (calling only for one individual) but inside a mosque where the congregational prayer has already performed, then it is sunnah to keep the voice low.

5. The time of the prayer must have arrived. One does not make the adhan for a prayer before its time has started.

The sunnahs of Adhan  

1. To face the qibla.

2. To be clean from any kind of impurity (major or minor). 

3. To turn the face right when saying: Hayya ‘ala as-salat 

4. To turn the face left when saying: Hayya‘ ala al-falah 

5. To pronounce the words in a distinct and measured manner, not rushing, because the adhan is to inform people, and saying it without hesitation and with a nice voice is better for that.

6. saying the two testimonies of faith in a low voice before saying them loudly.

7. Saying: “Prayer is better than sleep ” in the morning adhan.

8. To choose a person who has a nice voice and a good reputation.

9. It is reprehensible to sing the words.

10. To have two callers to prayer  for the call of the fajr prayer: one before fajr and one at fajr.

11. To listen to the adhan and repeat after the caller.

12. To supplicate and send blessing upon the  over the Messenger (PBUH).