Description of Iqamah

The correct view is that Iqamah consists of eleven words: "Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar, Ash-hadu Alla Ilaha Illa Allah, Ash-hadu Anna Muhammadan Rasulullah, Hay `Ala As-Salah, Hay `Ala Al Flah, Qad Qamtis-Salah Qad Qamtis-Salah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La Ilaha Illa Allah [Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah Alone, I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, Come to Salah, Come to success. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, no god except Allah]." Let it be known that Adhan and Iqamah are from the Prophet's Sunnah according to the correct view whether in Friday Salah or others.

Some scholars said: They are a collective duty. Others said: They are a collective duty in regard to Friday Salah only; this means if a village agreed with one another to abandon Adhan and Iqamah, they shall be fought for abandoning them. However, if it is a Sunnah (as we believe), they shall not be fought for them.

It is desirable to recite the Adhan and raise the voice with it, but it is not the case in Iqamah.

It is desirable that the muezzin would be of sweet voice, trustworthy, knows the times of Salah, and volunteer.

It is desirable for him to declare Adhan and Iqamah after he has performed ablution and facing the Qiblah. However, if he pronounces Adhan and Iqamah turning his face away from the Qiblah or while sleeping or sitting or not purified, Adhan and Iqamah are valid, but the action is reprehensible.

Adhan is pronounced for the five daily obligatory Salah whether it is the due time of Salah or its time has passed and whether in traveling or non-travel, and whether a person performs it alone or in congregation .

If a person performs missed Salah, he may declare Adhan for the first only and declare Iqamah at every missed Salah .

There is no Adhan or Iqamah for voluntary Salah or other kinds of Salah such as: Salatul-`Eid, the eclipse, asking for rain, Istikharah, and so on, but it is desirable to say: As-Salatu Jami`ah .

Iqamah should be declared at the time of Salah not before except the morning Salah [Fajr], for it is permissible to pronounce Adhan before its time.