Call to Prayer

The call to prayer ('Athan and 'Iqamah)

In Arabic, the word ‘Athan’ is to call or to inform. Religiously, it is a call made to inform people that the time of the prayer has begun. It is obligatory for the congregation in the mosque while for individuals praying alone at home, for example, it is a highly preferred act. It begins by proclaiming the greatness and oneness of Allah and the denial of disbelief and polytheism, testifying to the messenger ship of Muhammad  and then calling to a prosperity which is everlasting, pointing to the return to Allah.

The ‘Iqamah’ is the second and final Call to Prayer and is uttered immediately before the beginning of the obligatory prayer indicating that it is actually time to perform the prayer. 

Its Story 

The ‘Athan’ was made part of ‘Shari’a’ (Islamic jurisprudence) during the first year of the Muslims’ migration to Madeenah. Before its legislation, Muslims used to agree about fixed times for congregational prayers. Even still, they sometimes found it difficult to remember the exact timings.

One day, The Messenger of Allah  and the Muslims discussed the matter of calling the people to prayer at the exact time. Some suggested the use of a bell like the Christians, others suggested the use of a horn like the Jews, but ‘Umar  suggested sending someone to announce the prayer.

Then Allah’s Messenger  agreed to use a bell, but he was not happy to use it because of its similarity with the Christians.

After the Prophet  had ordered a bell to be made so that it could be struck to gather the people to Prayer, a companion, Abdullah Ibn Zayd Ibn Abd Rabbi  said: "I was sleeping when I saw a man carrying a bell in his hands, and I said: "Slave of Allah, will you sell this to me?" When he asked what I would do with it? I replied that we would use it to call the people to Prayer. He said: "Shall I not guide you to something better than that?" I replied: "Certainly," he told me to say the ‘Athan’ (and he told me its wording).
When I told Allah’s Messenger  in the morning what I had seen, he  said: "It is a true vision, ‘In Sha ’Allah’, so get up along with Bilal, and when you have taught him what you have seen, let him use it in making the call to Prayer, for he has a stronger voice than you." So, I got up along with Bilal and began to teach it to him, and he used it in making the call to Prayer.

‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab  heard this when he was in his house, and came out trailing his cloak and said: "Allah’s Messenger, by Him Who has sent you with the truth, I have seen the same thing (during sleep) as has been said." To this Allah’s Messenger  replied: ‘Praise be to Allah!’" [Ahmad, At-Tirmithi]

Its Excellence and virtues

Many Prophetic narrations describe the virtues of the ‘Athan’ and the one who calls it. The Prophet  said: “If the people knew what was in the ‘Athan’ (of virtues and rewards) and the first row (i.e. the first line in congregational prayer), and that they could not get it except by drawing lots, they would draw lots…” [Al-Bukhaari]

The Prophet  also said: “Your Lord, the Exalted, says: “Look at my slave there who makes the call to Prayer and establishes the Prayer out of fear of Me. I have forgiven My slave and have allowed him to enter Paradise.” [Ahmad, Abu Dawood and An-Nasaa’i]

The Text of the ‘Athan and ‘Iqamah

The text of the ‘Athan’:

Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar,

Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar.

Ashhadu allaa ilaaha illallaah,

Ashhadu allaa ilaaha illallaah.

Ashhadu Anna Muhammadar-rasoolullaah,

Ashhadu Anna Muhammadar-rasoolullaah.

Hayya ‘alas-salaah,

Hayya ‘alas-salaah.

Hayya ‘alal-falaah,

Hayya ‘alal-falaah.

Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar.

La ilaaha illallaah.

(Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest.

Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest.

I bear witness that there is no deity (worthy of worship) but Allah.

I bear witness that there is no deity (worthy of worship) but Allah.

I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger.

I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger.

Come to the prayer, Come to the prayer.

Come to prosperity, Come to prosperity.

Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest.

There is no deity (worthy of worship) but Allah.)

The text of ‘Iqamah’:

Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar,

Ashhadu allaa ilaaha illallaah,

Ashhadu Anna Muhammadar-rasoolullaah,

Hayya ‘alas-salaah,

Hayya ‘alal-falaah,

Qad qaamatis-salaah, Qad qaamatis-salaah

Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar.

La ilaaha illallaah.

(Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest.

I bear witness that there is no deity (worthy of worship) but Allah

I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger.

Come to the prayer, come to prosperity.

Prayer is to begin, prayer is to begin.

Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest.

There is no deity (worthy of worship) but Allah.)

As for At-Tathweeb (Saying “Prayer is better than sleep”), it is part of the morning ‘Athan’ to say twice, ‘as-salaatu khayrun minan-nawm (prayer is better than sleep) after Hayya ‘alal-falaah, Hayya ‘alal-falaah.

What the Listener says during ‘Athan’ and ‘Iqamah

It is preferred that whoever is listening to the ‘Athan’ should repeat it with the caller saying his exact words, except for the two “Hayya ‘alas-salaah, Hayya ‘alal-falaah” phrases, after which he should say instead “laa hawla wa laa quwwata illaa billaah” (there is no power or might save with Allah.)

Everyone who hears the call can repeat it, whether clean or unclean, in a state of post-sexual uncleanlines or menstruating and so on, as it is a remembrance (Thikr). Those who can not do so are the ones who are praying, who are relieving themselves, or are having sexual intercourse.

As for the ‘Iqamah’, it is preferred that the one who hears it repeats the words, except “Qad qaamatis-salaah.”

Supplications after ‘Athan

The Prophet  said: “Supplications (offered) in between the (two) calls for prayer (i.e. Athan and Iqamah) will never be rejected." The companions  said: "O Prophet of Allah! What should we say?" He  said: "Ask Allah the Almighty, to grant pardon (and good health) in both this life and the hereafter."

Allah’s Messenger  said: “Any person who, on hearing the Athan, supplicates: “Allaahumma rabba haathihid- da ‘watit-taammati was-salaatil-qaa’imati, aati Muhammadan al-waseelata wal-fadheelata wab‘ath-hu maqaaman mahmudanal-lathee wa‘adtahu. (‘O Allah! Lord of this complete prayer of ours. By the blessing of it, give Muhammad (), his eternal rights of intercession, distinction and highest class (in Paradise). And raise him to the promised rank You have promised him,’ then he will assured of my intercession on the Day of Judgment.)” [Al-Bukhaari]