Adhaan

The Adhaan and Iqaumah is Sunnat Muakkidah for:

a. Fardh Salaat and Jumuah

b. For Ada (schedule times) and Qaza (after time)

c. For one who is in his hometown and a Musafir (traveler according to Shariah)

d. For men, but it is Makrooh for women. 

“Allahu Akbar” is said four times at the beginning, and twice at the end. No undue pulling should be made of the two Shahadats.

In the Adhaan of Fajr “As Salaatu Khayrun Minan Nawm” is to be added twice after “Hayya alal Falah”

In Iqaumah, “Qad Qaumatis Salaatu” is added twice after “Hayya alal Falah”

In Adhaan, every sentence is said with a pause but in Iqaumah it is said quickly.

Adhaan is not valid in any other language other than Arabic.

1. The person who calls out the Adhaan is called a Muazzin.

2. It is Mustahab that the Muazzin be pious, one knowing the Sunnat of Adhaan and the proper times of Salaat.

3. He should be in the state of Wudhu and face the Qibla except if he mounted on an animal or (out of necessity e.g .) on a train, etc.

4. It is Mustahab that he inserts his two fingers in his ears, and turns his face to the right side when saying, “Hayy a alal Salaah”, and to the left side when saying, “Hayya a lal Falaah”.

He may turn completely in the dome if the sound does not reach in all directions.

The Adhan and Iqaumah should be separate to allow the regular Musallees to present themselves comfortably for congregation Salaat but at the same time the Mustahabh time of Salaat performance must not be missed. Time between Adhaan and Iqaumah of Magrib should be the time taken to recite three Ayats of the Qur’an or one long verse or the time taken to walk three steps.

After the Adhaan one can, in order to gather people for Salaat call them by saying “Salaat, Salaat, O performers of Salaat’ It is Makrooh:

a. To call the Adhaan in a singing tone    

b. Call Adhaan without wudhu or ghusal

c. By a boy who cannot understand

d. By an insane or drunk person

e. By a woman

f. By a faasiq (disobedient Muslim)

g. By one sitting

h. Talking during Adhaan and Iqaumah

i. To give Adhaan and Iqaumah of Zuhr Salaat in a town only on Fridays.  

It is Mustahab to repeat the Adhaan while the Muazzin spoke but not the Iqaumah. Both (Adhaan and Iqaumah) will be made for Qaza Salaat. Likewise, both will be made for the first of several Qazas. It is Makrooh to omit the Iqaumah, but the Adhaan must be only performed for the first one – provided that these are performed at one time.

What To Do When Hearing Adhaan  

1. When one hears the Adhaan, then be silent and repeat after the Muazzin.

2. When the Muazzin says, “Hayya alal Salaat” and “Hayya alal Falaah” one should say ‘La howla wa la quwwata illa billahil aliyil atheem’ [there is no ability and no power except with Allah, The All High – The All Great].

3. When the Muazzin says, “As Salaatu Khayrum minan nawm” in the Fajr Adhaan, they say, ‘Sadata wa barakta’ [you have spoken the truth and have done good] or ‘Masha Allah’ [whatever Allah wills happens].

4. On completion of the Adhaan, both the Muazzin and the listener should say:

“Allahumma, Rabba hadihid da’wati taaimati, wa Salaatil qaauimati, ati Muhammada nil waseelata, wal fadeela ta, wab athu Maqumam Mahmooda nil lathee wa adtahu, innaka la tukliful meeaad.”

“Allah, thee Rabb of this perfect call to this Salaat to be established, grant Muhammad the means and excellence and raise him to ‘Maqaume Mahmood’ (the commendable station) You promised him.”