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 called 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 Adaan

The greatest of the virtue which Islam attaches to the "Adhaan" and the one who performs it i.e. the, "Muadhin", thing 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." (Quran 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 Salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam 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 Salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, 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 masjid 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 masjid in Makkah). 

He would then raise both hands upon 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 illallah- I testify that there is no god but Allah (to be repeated 2 times)

3. Ash-hadu anna  Muhammadan rasuluullah- I testify that Mohammed is Allah's messenger (to be recited repeated 2 times)

4.Hayya' alas salaat- Come fast to prayer.(to be repeated 2 times). The Muadhin, when reciting this turns the face slightly to the right side.

5. Hayya'alal 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. La ilaha illallah- There is no god but Allah (to be recited once)

Note:

In the adhaan, for the Fajr (Dawn) prayer, the following words are recited twice after Hayya'alal Falaah-:

"Assalatu Kheirun mina nawm"

 (to be recited for two times) 

which mean

"Salaat is better than sleep".

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 "Hayya alal Salaat", the listener should instead say: 

"La howla wala quwata illa 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 recites the following supplication:

"Allahumma rabba hadhihid da'wati- tammah,wasalatil qa'mah,ati Muhammadanal wasilata wal fadhilata, waab'athuhu maqamum mah-mudan-alladhi wa'ad tahu".

which means

"O  Allah, Lord of this complete call and of the prayer to be held. grant Mohammed the most favoured 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 Salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:

Iqama (Second Call To Prayer)

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

1. Allahu Akbar .(repeated two times)
2. Ash-Hadu anla ilaha illa laah.(once) 
3. Ash-Hadu anna Muhammadar rasulul- laah . (once)

4. Hayya alas-Salaat. (once)

5. Hatyya alal-Falaah  (once)

6. Qad qamatis-Salaat. (Repeated two times)

7. Allahu Akbar. (Repeated two times)

8. La ilaaha ila- laah. (Once)

Notes: 

a. 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.

b. It is preferred that the Iqamah is performed by the same person (Muadhin) who perform the Adhaan.

c. It is disliked for anyone to leave the Masjid once the Adhaan is made, unless for urgent reason(s) but with a determination to return for the prayer.

d. It is prohibited to offer voluntary prayers after Iqamah has been called out. 
The Prophet Salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam says:

 "When Iqamah is called out, no prayer is permissible except the obligatory one".( Reported by Imam Muslim)

e. If a person misses a prayer due to oversleeping or forgetfulness, then, before starting the missed prayer the person is required to come up with Adhaan and Iqamah.

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.

f. Where a person misses the congregational prayer at the masjid, 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 referred that he does it in a low voice so as not to attract the attention of others outside.

g.  It is not obligatory on women to perform the Adhaan and Iqamah but if they wish to perform the same there is no harm.