Kitab Al-Salaah (The book of Prayer)

Adhaan
(Call To Prayer)

           
The "Adhaan"`
is a
call to inform others in specific words that the time for a particular
prayer has begun. It is a call to the congregation and is an expression
of the Islamic practice. It is required as an act for all the
Obligatory Prayers.

The Virtues of Adhaan

           
The greatness of the virtue which Islam attaches to the "Adhaan" and
the one who performs it i.e. the "Muadhin", can be noted from the
following verse of the Holy Qur'an:“ Who is better in speech than
one who calls (the people) to allah and works righteousness”
(Qur'an 41:33).

            The
mother of the faithful, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) confirmed
that this verse concerns and refers to the Muadhin and was revealed on
no other reason than for the Muadhin.

            And,
from the prophetic traditions, Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet
(peace be upon him), said:“ If the people knew the reward in the
Adhaan and the first row of  the prayer and that they could not
get it (the
reward) save by drawing lots, they would draw lots” (Narrated by
Imam Bukhari).

            And,
in another saying the Prophet (peace be upon him), said:“ The
Muadhins
will on the Day of Judgement have the longest necks (reflecting their
exclusive eminence)” (Reported by Imam Muslim).

How the Adhaan is performed

           
Preferably, there should be an appointed Muadhin at each Mosque who
will call the people to prayer when the time of a particular prayer is
due. In performing the Adhaan, the Muadhin would stand facing the
direction of the "Qiblah" (the sacred mosque in Makkah). He would then
raise both hands up to his ears and say in a loud voice the following
words:

1. ALLAHU AKBAR - Allah is the greatest (to be repeated 4
   times).
2. ASH-HADU ANLA ILAHA ILLALLAAH - I testify that there is no
   god but Allah. (to be repeated 2 times).
3. ASH-HADU ANNA MUHAMMADAN RASUULULLAAH - I testify that
   Muhammad is Allah's messenger. (to be repeated 2 times).
4. HAYYAA LAS SALAAT - Come fast to prayer. (to be repeated 2
   times). The Muadhin, when reciting this turns the face slightly to the
   right side.
5. HAYYAA LAL FALAAH - Come fast to success. (to be repeated 2
   times). The Muadhin, when reciting this turns the face slightly to the
   left side.
6. ALLAHU AKBAR -Allah is the greatest. (to be repeated 2
   times).
7. LAA ILAHA ILLALLAAH - There is no god but Allah. (to be
   recited once).

Note 1: In the Adhaan ,for the Fajr (Dawn) prayer, the
following words are recited twice after Hayya'alal Falaah: ASSALATU
KHEIRUM MINA NAWM , (to be recited two times) which means - "
Salaat is better than sleep ".

Note 2: Listen to ADHAAN from MAKKAH.

What Someone Supplicates Upon Hearing the Adhaan

           
It is preferred practice that when a person hears the Adhaan, he should
repeat the words the Muadhin calls out, except, when he says "Haaya
alal Salaat and Hayya alal Falaah", the listener should instead say: LA
HOWLA WALA QUWATA ILA BILLAH which means, "There is no power and
strength
except by Allah".

The Supplication after the Adhaan

           
Upon the completion of the Adhaan, it is recommended that the listener
recite the following supplication: ALLAHUMMA RABBA HADHIHID DA'WATI -
TAMMAH, WASALATIL QA'IMAH, ATI MUHAMMADAN AL WASILATA WAL FADHILATA, -
WAAB'ATHUHU MAQAMUM MAH- MUDAN-ALLADHII WAAD TAHU. which means: "O
Allah, Lord of this complete call and of the prayer to be held, grant
Muhammad the most favored and excellent position in the Paradise and
raise him to the praise worthy place that You have promised him".

            It
is highly recommended to recite the above supplication at the end of
every Adhaan and in this regard the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:“
It becomes obligatory upon me to intercede for him (person reciting the
supplication) on the Day of Judgement” (Reported by Imam
Bukhari).

IQAMAH Second Call to Prayer

           
"Iqamah" is the second call to the prayer and is said inside the Mosque
at the start of the congregational prayer. It goes as follows:

1. ALLAHU AKBAR. (repeated two times).
2. ASH-HADU ANLA ILLAHA ILA LAAH, (once).
3. ASH-HADU ANNA MUHAMMADAR RASULUL-LAAH, (once).
4. HA YYA ALAS-SALAA T, (once).
5. HA YYA ALAL-FALAAH, (once).
6. QAD QAMATIS-SALAAT, (repeated two times).
7. ALLAHU AKBAR, (repeated two times).
8. LAA ILAAHA ILA-LAAH, (once).

Notes:

• It is recommended that a brief time gapping be maintained
  between the "Adhaan" and the "Iqamah" to allow the congregation to get
  ready for the Salaat.
• It is preferred that the "Iqamah" is performed by the same
  person (Muadhin) who performed the "Adhaan".
• It is disliked for anyone to leave the mosque once the
  "Adhaan" is made, unless for urgent reason(s) but with a determination
  to return for the prayer.
• It is prohibited to offer voluntary prayers after Iqamah has
  been called out. The Prophet (peace be upon him) says:“ When
  Iqamah is called out, no prayer is permissible except the obligatory
  one” (Reported by Imam Muslim).
• If a person misses a prayer due to oversleeping or
  forgetfulness, then, before starting the missed prayer the person
  should call both Adhaan and Iqamah as did the Prophet PBUH when he and
  his companion over slept and missed Fajer until its time was over, he
  PBUH commanded Bilal to call Adhaan. But if he does not, then his
  Salaat is valid. However, if a person misses a number of prayers, it is
  preferred that he comes up with only one "Adhaan" for all the missed
  prayers, but to come up with a separate "Iqamah" for each Salaat.
• Where a person misses the congregational prayer at the
  mosque, such a person, before starting to pray is at liberty to either
  perform or omit the Adhaan and the Iqamah. However, if he decides to
  perform the Adhaan, it is preferred that he does it in a low voice so
  as not to attract the attention of others outside.
• It is not obligatory on women to perform the Adhaan and
  Iqamah but if they wish to perform the same there is no harm on them to
  perform Iqamah only but they must lower their voice.