When the numbers of Muslims increased there was the problem of gathering people for Salaah, i.e. how to call them for Salaah. Different suggestions were made, such as blowing the conch, lighting of fire and ringing of the bell. These suggestions were rejected because they are means of gathering people being used by the Jews, the Magians and the Christians respectively. In a dream, Abdullah bin Zaid and Umar (RA) were taught some wordings for calling people to prayer. The dream was narrated to the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and he confirmed the dream to be true. (Bukhari)
The Adhaan
The Adhaan is a means of calling people for Salaah and it is supposed to be said before each daily obligatory Salaah. The wording goes thus: Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, Ash-hadu an laailaaha illal-laah, Ash-hadu anlaailaaha illal-laah, Ash-hadu anna MuhammadanRasoolullaah, Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasoolullaah, Haya 'alas-salaah, Haya 'alas-salaah,Haya 'alal-falaah, Haya 'alal-falaah, Allaahu Akbar,Allaahu Akbar, Laa iladha illal-laah
(Allaah is the Greatest, Allaah is the Greatest; Allaah is the Greatest, Allaah is the Greatest; I testify thatthere is no god but Allaah, I testify that there is nogod but Allaah; I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, and it should be again repeated: I testify that there is no god but Allaah, I testify that there is no god but Allaah; I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, Come to the prayer (twice). (Bukhari)
Come to the Success (twice) Allaah is the Greatest, Allaah is the Greatest)
Apart from Allaahu Akbar which is pronounced twice, in iqaamah the remaining are pronounced once. Before the last Allaahu Akbar, qad qaamatissalaah is added and is pronounced once or twice.
Interval: there should be a little time between the Adhaan and Iqaamah. Anas bin Malik narrated:
"There used to be a little time between the Adhaan and the Iqaamah.” (Bukhari)
No Addition: Nothing should be added to the wording of the Adhaan except when necessary. Once on a very cold and stormy night, ibn 'Umar(RA) pronounced the Adhaan for the prayer and then said, "Sallu fee buyuutikum" (Pray in your homes). He (ibn 'Umar) added. "On very cold and rainy nights the Rasul (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to order the Mu'adhin to say, 'Pray in your homes.''' (Bukhari)
Repeat after him: When the Adhaan is being made the listener is enjoined to say what the Mu'adhin is saying. Abu Said Al Khudri (RA) narrated that the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"Whenever you hear the Adhaan, say what the Mu'adhin is saying." (Bukhari)
When the mu 'adhin says 'Haya "alas-salaab and Haya 'alalfalaah' the listener is expected to say 'laa hawlawalaa quwwata illaa billaah' (There is neither might nor power but with Allaah). (Bukhari)
After the Adhaan: The Messenger of Allaah said:
"Whoever after listening to the Adhaan says: 'Allahumma Rabba hadhihi-d-da' watit-tammatiwas-salatil qa'imati, atiMuhammadan al-wasilatawal-fadilata, wab' athhu maqaman mahmudan-illadhiwa' adtahu
(O Allah! Lord of this perfect call (of not ascribing partners to You) and of the regular prayer which isgoing to be established! Kindly give Muhammad the right of intercession and superiority and send him (on the Day of Judgment) to the best and the highest place in Paradise which You promised him)', then intercession for me will be permitted for him on the Day of Resurrection)." (Bukhari)
The Rasul (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) also said:
"Say as they say (i.e. the callers), and when you finish, ask and you will be given." (Abu Dawud)
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited