The Adhaan
The Muslim call to prayer is known as the adhaan.
Muslims make the call to prayer in a special way.
- The Muslim call to prayer is known as the adhaan.
- It can be heard at the times of prayer.
- Before Muslims used the adhaan, they were not sure about the manner of calling people to prayer.
- The Prophet ﷺ asked the companions for suggestions.
- Some of the companions suggested that:
- A bell should be rung.
- A horn may be blown.
- Drums may be beaten.
- Fires may be lit.
- Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did not agree with any of these ideas.
- The next morning, a companion, ‘Abdullaah ibn Zayd had a dream. In his dream, a man appeared and taught him the words of the adhaan. ‘Abdullaah ibn Zayd told the Prophet ﷺ about his dream.
- The Prophet ﷺ said to ‘Abdullaah, “It is a true dream.” (Tirmidhi and Aboo Daawood) Bilaal ibn Rabaah was the first companion to call the adhaan.
- The adhaan is called for each of the five daily prayers by the mu’adhdhin.
- The mu’adhdhin stands facing the qiblah, raises his voice,and says the adhaan slowly and clearly.
- The mu’adhdhin pauses after each part of the adhaan, and does not speak during the adhaan.
Discussion questions for comment
- When deciding how to call people to prayer, what were some of the suggestions?
- Why do you think the Prophet ﷺ did not agree with these suggestions?
- Which companion had the dream about the adhaan?
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What are the words of the adhaan and what do they mean to Muslims?
- The words of the adhaan are:
| Number of times to be recited: | English meaning: | Transliteration: |
| 4 | Allah ﷻ is the Greatest | Allaahu Akbar |
| 2 | I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah ﷻ | Ash-hadu al-laa ilaaha ill allaah |
| 2 | I bear witness that Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah ﷻ | Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar- rasoolullaah |
| 2 | Come to Prayer | Hayya ‘alas-salaah |
| 2 | Come to Success | Hayya ‘alal-falaah |
| 2 | Allah ﷻ is the Greatest | Allaahu Akbar |
| 1 | There is no god worthy of worship except Allah ﷻ | Laa ilaaha illallaah |
- In the Fajr adhaan, after saying Hayya ‘alal-falaah, the mu’adhdhin says:
| Number of times to be recited | English meaning: | Transliteration: |
| 2 | Prayer is better than sleep | As-Salaatu Khayrum- min an-nawm |
- When Muslims hear the adhaan, they should respond by repeating what the mu’adhdhin says. After the mu’adhdhin says Hayya ‘alas-salaah, a Muslim should say: ‘La hawla wa laa quwwata illaa billaah.’ The same is said after ‘Hayya ‘alal-falaah.
- After the adhaan, a Muslim should say the du’aa of asking Allah ﷻ to bestow peace and blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ .
- It is good to make du’aa between the adhaan and the iqaamah because Allah ﷻ accepts du’aa at this time. (Ibn Khuzaymah and Nasaa’i)
Discussion questions for comment
- Are there any differences in the way the adhaan is called for the different prayers?
