THE CALL TO PRAYER (ADHAN)
It is a sunnah e Mu'akkadah (confirmed sunnah which Prophet Muhammad ﷺ always performed and almost never abandoned) to invite the Muslims to each obligatory (farz) Namaaz by the way of calling out the adhan. The mu'azzin is the person who calls out the adhan and it is his responsibility to remember the correct times of salaah and the manner of reciting the adhan. There are fifteen verses of The Holy Quran in the full adhan.
Allaahu Akbar Allaahu Akbar
Allaahu Akbar Allaahu Akbar Allah is the greatest.. x 4
Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illal laah
Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illal laah
I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Ta'ala.. x 2
Ashhadu anna Muhammadur Rasoolullah
Ashhadu anna Muhammadur Rasoolullah
I bear witness that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah Ta'ala.. x 2
Hayya alas salaah
Hayya alas salaah Come to salaah.. x 2
Hayya alal falah
Hayya alal falah Come to success.. x 2
Allaahu Akbar
Allaahu Akbar Allah is the greatest.. x 2
Laa ilaaha illal laah There is none worthy of worship but Allah Ta'ala
For the Fajr prayer, after reciting Hayya alal falah two times, and before saying Allaahu Akbar two times, recite
As salatu khayrun minan-nawm
As salatu khayrun minan-nawm Prayer is better than sleep.. x 2
IQAMAH
Iqamah is the second call for prayer to gather the congregation (jamaat) for the obligatory (farz) salaah. The one who recites the iqamah is called the mukabbir. The mukabbir must recite the iqamah in a loud voice for the whole congregation to hear. The words of the iqamah is the same as in the adhan, except after hayya alal falah the mukabbir will recite qad qamati salaah, qad qamati salaah (prayer has indeed began.. x 2). The mukabbir should slightly turn his face right and left when reciting hayya alas salaah and hayya alal falah. He must not place his index fingers in his ears during the iqamah, but should stand with his arms by his side.
It is mustahab (recommended, favoured and a virtuous action, but not wajib) for the muqtadis (worshippers behind the imaam) to remain seated when the iqamah is being recited, and to stand at the point when you hear hayya alal falah. This also applies to the imaam. The imaam should say Allaahu Akbar and start the Namaaz when the mukabbir recites qad qamati salaah. The reason for this is that the mukabbir is saying that the 'prayer has indeed began'. So, literally the Namaaz should have begun.
The person who has called the adhan has the right to call the iqamah. Anyone other than the mu'azzin calling the iqamah must have the permission of the mu'azzin. It is unacceptable if the iqamah is called by other than the mu'azzin, and it displeases the mu'azzin. (Fatawa Alamgiri)
MU'AZZIN
Hazrat Abu Hurairah(Radi Allaahu Anhu) narrates that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, 'if the people knew what there is in the call to prayer, and the first row, and they had no other way but drawing lots, then they would draw lots'.
(Bukhari, Muslim)
The mu'azzin is the person who proclaims the call (adhan) to the daily prayer at a masjid. The first mu'azzin in Islam was Hazrat Bilal Ibne Rabah(Radi Allaahu Anhu), one of the earliest reverts to Islam. The mu'azzin must be in the state of ablution (wudu), facing Kabah, the qibla, and must stand in a specific place made for calling out the adhan at the masjid. The mu'azzin must place his index (shahadah) fingers in his ears and call out the adhan in a loud voice. (In the present time audio sound systems are used). He must avoid calling out the adhan in a singing manner. The Arabic words of the adhan must be recited with a 'pulling chest' tone only at those places where it is permissible to 'pull chest'. For that reason, it is necessary for the mu'azzin to know the rules governing the way in which the words of The Holy Quran should be recited (tajweed). The adhan must be called out in a clear and a simple manner.
When the mu'azzin recites hayya alas salaah, he should turn his face towards the right each time. When he recites hayya alal falah, he should turn his face towards the left each time. He must not turn his shoulders and the whole body, but only the face. This is a sunnah in the Hanfi school of thought. The mu'azzin must recite the
adhan with breaks (becoming silent). The length of the silence must be enough so that the worshippers can reply to the adhan. For Allaahu Akbar Allaahu Akbar, both are one word if it is combined. The mu'azzin must pause after this.
Hazrat Ibne Umar(Radi Allaahu Anhu) narrates that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ 'said, 'whoever gives the call to prayer for twelve years will be guaranteed Paradise, and for each day sixty good deeds (hasanaat) will be recorded for him by virtue of his adhan, and thirty hasnaat by virtue of his iqamah'.
(Ibne Majah)
RECITING DUROOD BEFORE ADHAN AND IQAMAH
There are three types of sunnah in Islam.
1. Sunnah e Qawli: These are the sayings or the verbal commandments of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ ''and are practised by the ummah.
2. Sunnah e Fehli: These are the actions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
3. Sunnah e Taqriri: These are the practices prevailing during the time of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which Prophet ﷺ did not oppose.
Any deed that is proven from Sunnat e Qawli, Sunnat e Fehli, and Sunnat e Taqriri and is practiced by the ummah is a sunnah.
It is a sunnah to recite durood shareef before the adhan and the iqamah.
In Siha `e Sitta (hadith in Abu Dawood), it is narrated that Hazrat Bilal(Radi Allaahu Anhu) used to make loud-voiced dua before the adhan of Fajr Namaaz everyday. An elderly mother narrates that her house was near Masjid Nabawi, and was the tallest building. Everyday Hazrat Bilal(Radi Allaahu Anhu) climbed the roof of her house at the time of Fajr and made full-voiced dua before adhan: 'Ya Allah! Make all the people of Quraysh a mu'min'. The elderly mother takes oath of Allah Ta'ala and says that there was not a single day in which Hazrat Bilal(Radi Allaahu Anhu) did not make this dua. This dua of Hazrat Bilal(Radi Allaahu Anhu) was accepted and the people of Quraysh became Muslims.
Hence, making dua before adhan in a full-voice is a sunnah of Hazrat
Bilal(Radi Allaahu Anhu).
After this the Muslims decided to act upon this sunnah of Hazrat Bilal(Radi Allaahu Anhu). The question now was which dua to make as the dua of Hazrat Bilal(Radi Allaahu Anhu) had already been accepted.
In a hadith in Tirmidhi Shareef, Hazrat Umar(Radi Allaahu Anhu) said, 'dua is detained between the heavens and the earth and no part of it is taken up until you send blessings (durood and sautations) upon your Prophet ﷺ'.
Reciting durood and salutations upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a condition for the acceptance of any dua, which means that Hazrat Bilal(Radi Allaahu Anhu) recited durood shareef with his dua.
So, the Muslims decided to recite durood shareef and salutations upon Prophet ﷺ before adhan, and it has been a practice since then.
The Ahlus Sunnah Wa Jama'ah recite durood and salutations before adhan because it is following the sunnah of Hazrat Bilal(Radi Allaahu Anhu).
The deviant sects make uproar about reciting the durood before adhan, claiming it to be an innovation (bida'h). It must be known to the Muslims that reciting durood shareef has not been forbid for any time. Allah Ta'ala has given permission for durood to be recited at all times without limiting it to a certain time.
Allah Ta'ala states in The Holy Quran:
'Undoubtedly Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet of Allah (the communicator of the hidden news). O you who believe send blessings upon him and salute him fully in abundance'
(Surah Al-Ahzab. verse 56)
The following durood can be recited before the adhan:
Assalaatu wasalaamu alaika ya RasoolAllah ﷺ
A ala aalika wa ashabika ya HabeebAllah ﷺ
Assalaatu wasalaamu alaika ya Nabi-Allah ﷺ
Wa ala aalika wa as haabika ya NoorAllah ﷺ
REPLYING TO THE ADHAN AND THE IQAMAH
The worshippers hearing the adhan should repeat the words of the adhan after the mu'azzin.
However, when the mu'azzin recites Ashhadu anna Muhammadur Rasoolullah for the first time, one should kiss his thumbnails and touch his eyes with them and reply
Sallallahu alaika ya RasoolAllah ﷺ
I send durood upon you 'Ya Rasool Allah ﷺ '
When the mu'azzin repeats the words, then repeat the action and reply
Qurrahtu ainee bika ya RasoolAllah ﷺ
Ya RasoolAllah 'ﷺ! You are the coolness of my eyes
At the end reply
Allahumma matti'nee bissam'ee wal basari
Ya Allah! Give me reward from my powers of listening and seeing
Whoever replies to the adhan in this manner, Prophet ﷺ will lead him to the Paradise.
(Durr e Mukthar)
And the person will not lose his eyesight.
Hazrat Bilal (Radi Allaahu Anhu) called out adhan in Masjid Nabawi, and when he said 'ash-hadu an-na Muhammadar-Rasoolullah', Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radi Allaahu Anhu) kissed his thumbnails and touched his eyes with it, and said 'Qurratu 'Aienee Bika Yaa Rasoolullah-Ya Rasoolullah, -you are the coolness for my eyes'. After the adhan, Prophet ﷺ said to Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radi Allaahu Anhu), 'whoever practices what you just did will have all his sins forgiven by Allah Ta'ala'.
When the mu'azzin recites hayya alas salaah hayya alal falah, you should reply,
La hawla wala quwaata illa billah
There is no help or strength except that which comes from Allah Ta'ala
One should also say
Mashaa Allahu kaana maa lam ya sha'lam ya kun
Whatever Allah Ta'ala desires happens and whatever Allah Ta'ala does not desire does not happen (Durr e Mukhtar)
For the adhan of the Fajr prayer, in reply to As salatu khayrun minan nawm, say
Sadaqta wa bararrta wa bilhaqqi na taqta
You are virtuous and trustworthy and have said right (Durr e Mukthar)
Replying to the iqamah is desirable. The reply is same as of the adhan except for
qad qamati salaah, one should say
Aqaama hallahu wa ada ma haa maa daa matis samawatu wal ard
Allah Ta'ala keeps him alive until there are heaven and earth (Fatawa Alamgiri)
Hazrat Abu Hurairah(Radi Allaahu Anhu) narrates that a man who did not have big deeds passed away. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ asked the companions(Radi Allaahu Anhum), 'did you know that Allah Ta'ala has granted him Paradise?' The companions became confused. One of the companion(Radi Allaahu Anhu) went to the man's house and asked his widow about any special deed he did. The widow replied that she did not recall of any special deed, but whenever he used to hear the adhan, he would reply without fail. (Mulakkhas Az Ibne Askaar)
REPLYING TO THE SECOND ADHAN OF JUMA AND RECITING DUA
According to Imaam Abu Hanifa(Rahmatullah Alaih), it is better to avoid this. During the sermon (khutba), we have been ordered to remain quiet, therefore during the khutba if you hear the name of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, recite durood (salwaat) only inside your heart and not verbally. (Fatawa e Razviyah)
It is not permissible in the Hanfi Madhab for the muqtadi (followers of the imaam in the prayers) to reply to the second adhan.
In a hadith, it is mentioned that 'when the imaam comes out to ascend the pulpit, it is not permissible to pray any Namaaz or to speak'.'
(Bukhari)
In Jadd-Ul-Mumtar, Imaam Ahmad Raza Khan(Rahmatullah Alaih) has written that 'it is safer to prohibit all speech'. If the imaam himself replies to the adhan verbally or recites the dua, then this is undoubtedly permissible. Imaam Ahmad Raza Khan(Rahmatullah Alaih) says, 'the muqtadi should not reply, this is safer'.
Radd Ul Mukthar says, 'replying to the adhan is disliked'
Durr e Mukthar says, 'one should not reply verbally to the second adhan which is said in front of the imaam'. (Fatawa e Razviyah)
However, if you hear the name of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ whilst listening to the recitation of The Holy Quran or during the second adhan or the khutba of Juma, one must remain silent and send durood in your heart.
Allah Ta'ala states in The Holy Quran
'And when the Quran is recited, hear it patiently and be silent so that you may obtain mercy'
(Surah Al-A'raaf. verse 204)
Also in Namaaz, one should remain motionless, and when the imaam comes out to ascend the pulpit, the muqtadis are considered to be in the state of prayer. It is for this reason, it is not permissible to pray any salaah or engage in any speech at this time. When hearing the blessed name of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, send durood and salutations upon Prophet ﷺ in your heart, not verbally, despite the clear emphasis of reciting salwaat.
During the sermon (khutba), when you hear the name of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, recite salwaat inside your heart. Remaining silent is obligatory (farz).
THE PLACE FROM WHERE ADHAN SHOULD BE CALLED
It is against the sunnah to call out adhan in the masjid. The adhan should be called outside the masjid. (Fatawa Alamgiri)
Imaam Ahmad Raza Khan(Rahmatullah Alaih) says that it is not proven that at any time that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ ordered for the adhan to be called out in the masjid.
(Fatawa e Razviyah)
He(Rahmatullah Alaih) further states that to call out adhan in the masjid is disrespectful to both the masjid and in the court of Allah Ta'ala. The veranda, gallery or the porch of the masjid is not considered as part of the masjid, and to call out the adhan here is in accordance with the sunnah. The second adhan of Juma should also be called from outside the masjid, but the mu'azzin should be in front of the imaam. (Fat hul qadeer)
DUA AFTER ADHAN
Allaahuma Rabba Haazihid Da'awatit Taam Mati Was Salaatil Qaiymati Aati Sayyedana Mohammada Nil Waseelata Wal Fadeelata Wad Darajatar Rafeea'ata Wab 'Ath Hu Maqamam Mahmooda Nil Lazi Wa A't Tahoo Wa Zuqna Shafa A'Tahu Yoomal Qiyamah. Innaka La Tukhliful Meea'ad
Hazrat Abu Hurairah(Radi ALlaahu Anhu) narrates that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, ' When' the adhan is pronounced satan takes to his heels and passes wind with the noise during his flight in order not to hear the adhan. When the adhan is completed he comes back and again takes to his heels when the iqamah is pronounced and after its completion he returns again till he whispers into the heart of the person (to divert his attention from his prayer) and makes him remember things which he does not recall to his mind before the prayer and that causes him to forget how much he has prayed'.
(Bukhari)
