Assalaamu Alaikum my brothers and sisters in Islam. Imagine hearing the Adhan, the beautiful call to prayer, echoing through the air when it is called. How does it make you feel and do you even know the etiquette of adhan? For us Muslims, the adhan is a call that reminds us of our ultimate purpose in life: to worship Allah. It is not merely a call or sound but a divine invitation guiding us towards the remembrance of Allah.
The Adhan, often recited melodiously, is far more than a practical announcement for prayer times. It is also a sign among the signs of Islam that serve as a communal reminder of our connection to Allah and the unity of the Muslim Ummah. Yet, beyond simply hearing it, there are etiquettes of adhan associated with the sunnah of responding to the call to prayer that every one of us should learn, understand, and practice.
The etiquettes of adhan associated with the Sunnah of responding to the call to prayer reflect respect, reverence, and the embodiment of the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
In this article, we will explore the etiquette of Adhan in detail, unveiling its significance according to the sunnah and the practices of the early generations of Muslims. Whether you are just reading this for the first time or you have forgotten the etiquette of adhan associated with the sunnah of responding to the call to prayer, this guide will help you a lot.
The Significance of the Adhan in Islam
What is the Adhan itself? The Adhan is the prescribed call to prayer that signifies the time for salah (the five daily prayers). It is a public and collective invitation to worship. It is a unique call of Islamic worship, in a beautiful melody that echoes through our communities, inviting Muslims to gather for salah (prayer).
Hearing the Adhan creates a sense of collective gathering within us. It serves as a means that guides us away from the distractions of the world and draws us closer to our Creator. It unites Muslims across the globe, reminding us of our shared devotion to Allah. Regardless of culture, language, or geography, the Adhan is the same everywhere, illustrating the universal bond of Islam.
It is a sunnah established by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) himself. When the Muslims in Madinah were looking for a way to call people to prayer, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) approved the vision of Abdullah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him), who saw the words of the Adhan in a dream. You can read the story of the first Muazzin, Bilal bin Rabah.
Etiquette of Adhan Associated with the sunnah of responding to the call to prayer
The Adhan is not just a call to prayer; it is a reminder of our duty as Muslims to worship Almighty Allah. Listening to the Adhan with proper manners is an act of respect and devotion that aligns with the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Observing the right etiquette ensures that we fully benefit from this spiritual moment and approach it with the full regard it deserves.
1. Avoid distractions to focus on the Adhan (call to prayer): When the Adhan is called, it is important to stop all activities and give your full attention to the words being recited. Whether you are at work, engaged in conversation, or attending to household tasks, pausing to focus on the adhan demonstrates your acknowledgment of the sanctity of the Adhan.
Allah’s call to prayer deserves priority over all worldly matters. The early Muslims were known for their immense respect during the Adhan. They would stop whatever they were doing to focus entirely on the call to prayer. Their example reminds us to prioritize Allah’s remembrance above anything else.
2. Following and repeating what the Muazzin is saying: Respond to each phrase of the Adhan after the Muazzin with sincerity from the beginning of the Adhan till the end. You are to repeat everything the Muazzin is saying except when it says:
“Hayya ‘ala-s-Salah” and “Hayya ‘ala-l-Falah” are recited.
You are to respond with
“La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah”
This means you will say “La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah” four times (X4). Two times for “Hayya ‘ala-s-Salah,” which will be pronounced twice, and two times for “Hayya ‘ala-l-Falah,” which will also be pronounced twice. In a Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “When you hear the call to prayer, say something similar to what the caller has said.”
Muslim 383
3. Prepare your intention for Solah (prayer): The proclamation of Adhan is a perfect time to create your intention for prayer and start going to the Mosque in case you are not already there. This will also give you the chance to perform a lot of nawafil (voluntary prayers) before the start of the obligatory prayers.
4. Time to make Dua (blessings) upon the Prophet: This is among the most recommended etiquettes of Adhan. After the Adhan, it is highly recommended to say the dua taught by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Whoever, after listening to the Adhan, says,
‘Allahumma Rabba hadhihi-dda` watit-tammah, was-salatil qa’imah, ati Muhammadan al-wasilata wal-fadilah, wa b`ath-hu maqaman mahmudan-il-ladhi wa`adtahu’
[O Allah! Lord of this perfect call (perfect by not ascribing partners to You) and of the regular prayer which is going to be established, give Muhammad the right of intercession and illustriousness, and resurrect him to the best and the highest place in Paradise that You promised him (of)], then my intercession for him will be allowed on the Day of Resurrection”. (Sahih al-Bukhari, 614)
5. Time for acceptance of Dua: Among the etiquettes of Adhan is to make prayer after Adhan before Iqamah. One of the best times to make Dua is between the Adhan and Iqamah (call for the start of the obligatory prayer), as said by our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)
“Two supplications are not rejected or seldom rejected: the supplication at the call to prayer and at the time of the rain.” (Sunan Abi Dawood 2540).
You can read more about the best moments when Duas are readily accepted here.
The Rewards of Maintaining the Etiquettes of Adhan
The sunnah of responding to the call to prayer comes with a lot of rewards, which we should always look up to. When you heed the call to prayer with sincerity, it reminds you of your purpose (to worship Allah) and creates a sense of getting close to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala. The rewards include:
1. Earning the intercession of Prophet Muhammad on Resurrection Day (ﷺ): The Prophet said:
Whoever hears the call to prayer and says, ‘O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and established prayer, give Muhammad the means of nearness and the most excellent reward, and raise him to the praiseworthy station that You have promised him,’ then my intercession will be allowed for him on the Day of Resurrection.
Bukhari, 614
2. A means of earning Allah’s forgiveness: Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
Whoever says when he hears the call to prayer, ‘I testify there is no God but Allah alone, without any partner, and Muhammad is His servant and His messenger, I am pleased with Allah as a Lord, with Muhammad as a messenger, and with Islam as a religion,’ then his sins will be forgiven.
Muslim 386
3. Increase rewards by fulfilling the Sunnah of our Prophet: By responding to the Adhan, you following and reviving a practice of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and also drawing closer to Allah.
Jarir reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever institutes a good practice in Islam will have its reward and the reward of whoever acts upon it without diminishing their rewards at all. Whoever institutes an evil practice in Islam will have its sin and the sin of those who act upon it without diminishing their sins at all.”
Muslim 1017
4. Opportunity for Accepted Dua: The time between the Adhan and Iqamah is known as a moment when supplications are more likely to be answered. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“Two supplications are not rejected or seldom rejected: the supplication at the call to prayer and at the time of the rain.” (Sunan Abi Dawood 2540).
I hope we have seen a lot of benefits in responding to the Adhan (call to prayer) and also praying for our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) after the Adhan. We should strive and adhere to this sunnah very well, and we ask Allah to make it easy for every one of us.
“We ask Allah, Lord of this perfect call and the established prayer, to grant Muhammad the Wasilah and the highest rank in Paradise, and raise him to the praised station You have promised him. O Allah, make us among those who respond to the Adhan with sincerity, fulfill our prayers with devotion, and let us earn Your mercy in this world and the Hereafter. Aameen.”
