Adhan (اذان) literally means “announcement,” and in Shari’ah, azan meaning in islam refers to the specific announcement made at the time of salat using designated words. Adhān is the Muslim call to Friday public worship (Jumʿah) and to the five daily prayer times. Azaan is usually recited by a muezzin at five times a day in a mosque, traditionally from a minaret. The first call, known as the adhan, summons Muslims to enter the mosque for obligatory prayers (salawat). A second call, called the iqama, instructs those already in the mosque to line up for prayer. Muslims also recite the adhan first in the ear of a newborn baby and often as the initial invocation in a new home.
After completing Masjid-e-Nabawi Sharif, there was still no way to tell people the time for congregational Salah. When Rasoolullah (S.A.W) consulted the Sahaba Ikraam (R.A) about this, some suggested lighting a fire, others recommended using a bell, and some proposed using a bugle (horn). Rasoolullah (S.A.W) did not prefer these methods because they were also used by non-Muslims to gather people. Therefore, Hazrat Umar Farooq (R.A) suggested that someone should go around Madina announcing the time for Salah.
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) liked this idea and instructed Hazrat Bilal (R.A) to carry it out. Hazrat Bilal would walk through the city announcing “As-Salaatu Jaami’atun” for all five daily Salah. During this period, Hazrat Abdullah bin Zaid Ansaari (R.A) had a dream in which he saw the Azaan being recited. Rasoolullah (S.A.W), Hazrat Umar Farooq (R.A), and other Sahaba (R.A) later saw this dream as well. Rasoolullah (S.A.W) accepted this as Allah’s (S.W.T) command. He instructed Hazrat Abdullah bin Zaid (R.A) to teach Hazrat Bilal (R.A) the words of the Azaan, as he had a louder voice. From that day until Qiyaamah, this method of reciting the Azaan began.
The Azaan was introduced in the first year of the Hijrah, shortly after the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and his followers arrived in Madinah. This practice was established following a dream experienced by Hazrat Abdullah bin Zaid Ansaari (R.A) and confirmed by Rasoolullah (S.A.W) and other Sahaba.
The first Azan in Islamic history was given by Hazrat Bilal (R.A). He was appointed by the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) to perform the Azaan due to his strong and clear voice. This occurred shortly after the introduction of the practice in Madinah.
الله اكبر (4 times)
Allahu Akbar
اللہ سب سے بڑا ہے
Allah is the Greatest
اشهد ان لا اله الا الله (2 times)
Ashhadu alla ilaha illallah
میں گواہی دیتا ہوں کے نہیں کوئی معبود سوائے ایک الله کے
I bear witness that there is no god but one Allah
اشهد ان محمدا رسول الله (2 times)
Ashhadu anna Muhammadar rasulullah
میں گواہی دیتا ہوں کہ محمد اللہ کے رسول ہیں
I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (God)
حي على الصلاة (2 times)
Hayya ‘alas-Salat
آؤ نماز کی طرف
Come to prayer
حي على الفلاح (2 times)
Hayya ‘alal-Falah
آؤ کامیابی کی طرف
Come to success
الله اكبر (2 times)
Allahu Akbar
اللہ سب سے بڑا ہے
Allah is the Greatest
لا اله الا الله (1 time)
La ilaha illallah
اللہ کے سوا کوئی معبود نہیں
There is no God except Allah
Following are the benefits of saying Azan:
Hazrat Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “When the Adhaan starts, Shaytaan runs off and makes a noise so he won’t hear it. He comes back after the Adhaan, but runs away again when the Iqaamah starts. He returns after the Iqaamah is over.”
Sayyidunah Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “No jinn, human, or any other creature hears the Mu’adh-dhin’s voice except that they will testify for him on the Day of Resurrection.”
Hazrat Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “The Mu’adhdhin will be forgiven for the distance his voice reaches. Everything that hears him, whether it is wet or dry, will testify to his call, and he will receive a reward similar to that of those who pray with him.”
Hazrat Uqbah bin Aamir (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Allah is pleased with a shepherd of goats who calls to prayer from the top of a mountain and performs the prayer. Allah, the Exalted, says: ‘Look at My servant; he calls to prayer and performs it out of fear of Me. I will forgive him and admit him to Paradise.’”
Hazrat Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “If people knew the reward for giving the call to prayer and for being in the first row of the prayer, and if they had no other way to gain this privilege except by drawing lots, they would certainly do so.”
Moreover, Hazrat Mu’aadh (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “The Mu’adhdhinun (callers to prayer) will have the longest necks on the Day of Resurrection.”
Hazrat Sahl bin Sa’d (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “There are two times when supplications are never rejected: dua after Adhan has been proclaimed and during the battle against the enemy.”
Besides, Sayyidunah Anas bin Maalik (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Supplications made between the Adhaan and the Iqaamah are never rejected.”
When the prayer is about to begin, the Iqamah is recited. This signals that the Imam has taken his place facing the Ka’bah and is ready to start the prayer. The Iqamah is a shorter version of the Adhan.
The Azan, the call to prayer in Islam, holds immense significance as it announces the specific times for the five daily prayers, fostering unity and community among Muslims. It serves as a reminder of faith, encouraging believers to pause their daily activities and turn towards worship. Spiritually, the Azan drives away Shaytaan, and everything that hears it will testify for the Mu’adhdhin on the Day of Resurrection. Additionally, Muslims consider the period between the Adhaan and Iqaamah a blessed time when Allah rarely rejects supplications. This highlights the Azan’s profound spiritual and communal importance.
After responding to the Adhan, Muslims are instructed to recite the following:
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ، وَالصَّلَاةِ الْقَائِمَةِ، آتِ مُحَمَّداً الْوَسِيلَةَ وَالْفَضِيلَةَ، وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَاماً مَحْمُوداً الَّذِي وَعَدْتَهُ، إَنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ
And also Darood Shareef.
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ-اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
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