Theadhanis the call given to announce that it is time for a particular obligatorySalah(ritual Prayer). Five times a day theadhanis raised from mosques throughout the world. It is aSunnah(optional duty) that brings its own reward from Allah (God). The person who gives theadhanis called amuadhdhin. (The English word “muezzin” is a mispronunciation of the Arabic term.)
Theadhanbegins with an affirmation of the supremacy of Allah (God). Then comes theshahadah(profession of faith), which consists of the profession of the Unity of Allah (God), the negation ofshirk(polytheism), and the confirmation that Muhammad (peace and blessings be on him) is the Messenger of Allah (God). And after that, comes the call to the Prayer and to success — our eternal home in Paradise — which also implies our return to the Creator. Each line is repeated for emphasis.
The words of theadhanare as follows:
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.
Ash-hadu alla ilaha illa-llah.
I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah.
Ash-hadu alla ilahailla-llah.
I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah.
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasulullah.
I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasulullah.
I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
Hayya ‘ala-s-Salah, hayya ‘ala-s-Salah.
Hasten to the Prayer, hasten to the Prayer.
Hayya ‘ala-l-falah,hayya ‘ala-l-falah.
Hasten to real success, hasten to real success
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.
La ilaha illa-llah
There is none worthy of worship but Allah.
In theadhanfor the Subh (Dawn) Prayer (also commonly called the Fajr Prayer), the following words are added afterHayya ‘ala-l-falah:
As-Salatu khairun min an-naum, As-Salatu khairun min an-naum.
Prayer is better than sleep, Prayer is better than sleep.
TheSunnah(practice of the Prophet) recommends that while theadhanis being called, one should listen attentively and repeat it silently after themuadhdhin, but when he says “Hayya ‘ala-s-Salah” and“Hayya ‘ala-l-falah” one should say:
La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.
There is no might or power except with Allah.
After theadhan, it is recommended to say the followingdu‘a’(supplication):
Allahumma rabba hadhihi-d-da‘awati-t-tammati wa-s-Salati-l-qa’imati, ati Muhammadan il-wasilata wa-l-fadilata wa-d-darajata-r-rafî‘ati wa-b‘ath-hu maqamam mahmudan illadhi wa‘adtahu.
0 Allah, Lord of this most perfect call, and of the Prayer that is about to be established, grant to Muhammad the favor of nearness (to You) and excellence and a place of distinction, and exalt him to a position of glory that You have promised him.
Iqamah(Standing Up For Prayer)
Iqamahmeans to stand up for theSalah(ritual Prayer). It is a Sunnah(practice of the Prophet) to call theiqamahjust before theSalahbegins, whether thesalanis performed individually or in congregation.
The words of theiqamahare the same as theadhan, except that after“Hayya ‘ala-l-falah”one says:
Qad qamati-s-Salah, Qad qamati-s-Salah.
Prayer is ready, Prayer is ready.
It is recommended that the hearer of theiqamahshould repeat it afterthe muqim(the one who announces theiqamah).
