Adhan: Difference between revisions

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Allah is the Greatest{{-}}

I bear witness there is no God but Allah{{-}}

I bear witness Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah{{-}}

{{Font color|#46CB18|I bear witness 'Ali is the wali of Allah}}{{-}}

Hurry toward prayer{{-}}

Hurry toward salvation{{-}}

Hurry toward the best of deeds{{-}}

Allah is the Greatest{{-}}

There is no God but Allah{{-}}

(4 times){{iarabic| اَللّهُ اَکبَرُ}}{{-}}

(2 times){{iarabic| اَشْهَدُ اَنْ لا اِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللّهُ }}{{-}}

(2 times){{iarabic| اَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللّهِ }}{{-}}

{{Font color|#46CB18|<ref>this phrase is not a part of Adhan</ref>{{iarabic| اَشْهَدُ أَنَّ عَلِیاً وَلِی اللّهِ}} }}{{-}}

(2 times){{iarabic| حَیِّ عَلَی الصَّلاةِ }}{{-}}

(2 times){{iarabic| حَیِّ عَلَی الْفَلاحِ }}{{-}}

(2 times){{iarabic| حَیِّ عَلی خَیرِ الْعَمَلِ }}{{-}}

(2 times){{iarabic| اَللّهُ اَکبَرُ }}{{-}}

(2 times){{iarabic| لا اِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللّهُ}{{-}}

Lexically, 'Adhan' means announcement or declaration. The word 'Adhan' has also been used in the holy [[Qur'an]] in this way.<ref>Q, 9: 3.</ref> Iqama literally means to keep up or to make upright. Recited after Adhen which is the first declaration, Iqama is the second and last call which indicates the actual start of the prayer. Adhan is the call for gathering and Iqama is for standing up and preparing for prayer.

Combined together, Adhan and [[Iqama]] are sometimes referred to as ''Adhanayn'' (The two Adhans).<ref>See: Abu 'Ubayd, Qasim. ''Gharib al-Hadith''. vol. 4. p. 320</ref>

=== According to Imamiyya (Shi'a) ===

The practice of reciting Adhan began in the first two years after [[Hijra]], following the [[redirection of Qibla]] from [[Masjid al-'Aqsa]] to the [[Ka'ba]].<ref>Abu Dawud, ''Sunan Abu Dawud''. vol. 1. 348</ref> According to [[Imamiyya]] sources, the [[holy Prophet (s)]] received Adhan by means of divine [[revelation]]. Archangel [[Jibra'il]] recited it for the first time during the night of [[Mi'raj]]. When he recited it once again, the [[holy Prophet (s)]] ordered [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] to teach it to [[Bilal b. Rabah]].<ref>al-Kulayni, Muhmmad b. Ya'qub. ''al-Kafi''. vol. 3. p. 392; al-Shaykh al-Saduq. ''Man la yahduruh al-faqih''. vol. 1. p. 183; al-Shaykh al-Tusi. ''al-Tahdhib''. vol. 2. p. 277</ref> This has also been reported in [[Isma'iliyya]]<ref>Qadi Nu'man.vol. 1. p. 143</ref> sources with slight differences.

=== According to Ahl al-Sunna ===

In some [[Sunni]] accounts, it is claimed that Adhan is man-made and not based on divine revelation. According to these reports, the Muslims first had various ways to call for prayer - and it was [['Umar]] who suggested that someone should be designated to announce the prayer time. The holy Prophet (s) then appointed [[Bilal b. Rabah|Bilal]] for this task.<ref>al-Bukhari, Muhammad. ''Sahih al-Bukhari''. vol. 1. p. 150; al-Muslim al-Neysaburi. ''Sahih al-muslim''. vol. 1. p. 285</ref>

According to other Sunni narrations, the holy Prophet (s) suggested that the Muslims, like the [[People of the Book]], should use a horn or a bell to call for prayer. Then, [['Abd Allah b. Zayd b. 'Abd Rabbih]] had a dream in which the Adhan was revealed to him. The holy Prophet (s) recognized it as a true dream and ordered him to teach the phrases to Bilal.<ref>Ibn Maja. ''Sunan''. vol. 1. p. 232-233; Abu Dawud, ''Sunan Abu Dawud''. vol. 1. 336-338; Tirmidhi, Muhammad. ''Sunan al-Tirmidhi''. vol. 1. p. 359; Nasa'i, Ahmad. ''Sunan al-Nasa'i''. vol. 3. p. 2-3</ref>   [[Shafi'i]], however, believe Adhan has too high a position to be revealed in the dream of an individual like 'Abd Allah b. Zayd.

===According to Imamiyya===

Adhan consists of: ''Allahu Akbar'' (Allah is the Greatest) four times; ''Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah'' (I bear witness there is no God but Allah) two times; ''Ashhadu Anna Muhammadan Rasulullah'' (I bear witness Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah) two times; ''Hayya 'ala l-salah'' (Hurry  toward prayer) two times; ''Hayya 'ala l-falah'' (Hurry toward salvation) two times; ''Hayya 'ala khayr al-'amal'' (Hurry toward the best of deeds) two times; ''Allahu Akbar'' two times; ''La ilaha illallah'' two times.<ref>al-Shaykh al-Tusi. ''al-Khilaf''. vol. 1. p. 9</ref>

Although the phrase of wilaya i.e. ''Ashhadu anna 'Aliayyan waliullah'', (I bear witness that 'Ali is the wali of Allah) has been recited in the Adhan of some of the Imamiyya since early times,<ref>al-Shaykh al-Saduq. 'Man la yahduruh al-faqih''. vol. 1. p. 18-189; al-Shaykh al-Tusi. ''al-Nihaya''. p. 80</ref> it is not presented in Imamiyya sources as being a part of Adhan. It is recited after the third phrase two times.

The sixth phrase i.e. ''Hayya 'ala khayril'amal'' (Hurry toward the best of deeds) belongs particularly to the [[Shi'a]], and is a distinctive characteristic of this sect.<ref> Sayyid Murtada. ''al-Intisar''. p. 38-39</ref> [[Ibn Nubah]], the [[mu'adhdhin]] of Imam 'Ali (a) used to recite this phrase in Adhan without objection from Imam Ali (a).<ref>al-Shaykh al-Saduq. 'Man la yahduruh al-faqih''. vol. 1. p. 18-189</ref> According to Shi'a reports, this phrase had been a part of Adhan until 'Umar omitted it due to his belief that it would weaken people's motivation for [[Jihad]].<ref>Qadi Nu'man. vol. 1. p. 143; Abu 'Abd allah 'Alawi. ''al-Adhan bi Hayya 'ala khayril'amal''. p. 16</ref>

===According to Ahl al-Sunna===

The phrasing of Adhan is the same as the Imamiyya, with the following major differences:

* [[Malik]] believes the first phrase must be recited only twice, not four times.<ref> Ibn Qasim, 'Abd al-Rahman. ''al-Mudawwanat al-kubra''. vol. 1. p. 312</ref>

* The sixth phrase i.e. ''Hayya 'ala khayril'amal'', is not recited.

* [[Tathwib]], a term referring to the addition of the phrase: ''Assalatu khayrun minannawm'' (Prayer is better than sleep) is recited after the fifth phrase. The use of this phrase has been narrated by [[Abu Mahzura]]; however, it is disputed whether it was taught to him by the holy Prophet (s) or was his own addition.<ref>Daraqutni, 'Ali .''Sunan'' .vol. 1. p. 233-235</ref> Tathwib was never accepted by the Imamiyya.<ref>al-Kulayni, Muhmmad b. Ya'qub. ''al-Kafi''. vol. 3. p. 303; Sayyid Murtada. ''al-Intisar''. p. 39</ref>

* According to all four Sunni schools, the final phrase is recited only once, not twice.<ref>Jaziri, 'Abd l-Rahman. ''al-Fiqh 'ala al-madhahib al-arba'a''. vol. 2 p. 312</ref>

* It is highly recommended to recite adhan before each of the five [[daily prayer]]s.<ref>al-Muhaqqiq al-Hilli. ''Shara'i' al-Islam''. vol. 1. p. 74</ref>

 

* The emphasis on reciting adhan is so great that in some [[Shi'a]] and [[Sunni]] schools of thought, it is considered to be [[wajib kifa'i]] (a collective duty).<ref> al-Shaykh al-Tusi. al-Khilaf. vol. 1. p. 93; Ibn Humam. ''Fath al-qadir''. vol. 1. p. 209; Mahali, Jalal al-din. ''Sharh minhaj al-talibin''. vol. 1. p. 125</ref>

* In reciting Adhan, [[Tartib]] (sequence of phrases) and [[Muwalat]] (continuity between them) must be observed. That is, it should be recited in its original order and with no unusual interruption or pause.<ref>al-Muhaqqiq al-Hilli. ''Shara'i' al-Islam''. vol. 1. p. 75</ref>

* According to the [[Hanbali]] and [[Shafi'i]] schools, reciting Adhan does not require a particular intention ([[niyya]]); however, according to Shi'a and other Sunni schools, such an intention is obligatory.<ref> Jaziri, 'Abd l-Rahman. ''al-Fiqh 'ala al-madhahib al-arba'avol''. 1. p. 314; Shahid al-Thani. ''al-Rawda al-Bahiya'' vol. 1. p. 239</ref>

* According to the [[Imamiyya]] and [[Hanbali]] schools, Adhan must be recited in Arabic; however, in other Sunni schools, it is permissible for non-Arabs to recite Adhan in their own language.<ref> Jaziri, 'Abd l-Rahman. ''al-Fiqh 'ala al-madhahib al-arba'avol''. 1. p. 314; Shahid al-Thani. ''al-Rawda al-Bahiya'' vol. 1. p. 239</ref>

* The [[mu'adhdhin]] (reciter of Adhan) must be a sane mature Muslim male. It is also preferable that he is just, has a loud voice and is aware of exact prayer times. It is recommended that the mu'adhdhin is in the state of [[Wudu]] or [[Ghusl]] and that he stands in an elevated place while reciting Adhan.<ref>al-Muhaqqiq al-Hilli. ''Shara'i' al-Islam''. vol. 1. p. 74; Ibn Hubayra. ''al-Ifsah an ma'ani al-sihah''. vol. 1. p. 82</ref>

* Some scholars have explicitly mentioned that when heard only by a female audience, it is permissible for a female to recite Adhan.<ref>al-Muhaqqiq al-Hilli. ''Shara'i' al-Islam''. vol. 1. p. 74; Ibn Hubayra. ''al-Ifsah an ma'ani al-sihah''. vol. 1. p. 80</ref>

* The [[Maliki]] school and some Shafi'i jurists hold that a Mu'adhin can be paid for his recitation of Adhan; on the contrary, Imamiyyah, [[Hanifiyya]], Hanabila and some other Shafi'i jurists believe it is not permissible for a Mu'adhin to receive money for the recitation of Adhan, they argue for their opinion by citing a broader ruling that states "no one is allowed to take his religious duties (in this case, Adhan recitation) as a source for earning money". however, by distinguishing between the practice (which is a religious obligation and should not be paid for) and the position (which shouldn't remain vacant) these scholars believe such an individual must be provided with some sort of salary from the [[bayt al-mal]] (treasury of Muslim community). this changes the equation of practice-payment to that of position-payment which has different jurisprudential dynamics and consequences.<ref>al-Shaykh al-Tusi. ''al-Khilaf''. vol. 1. p. 96; Ibn Hubayra. ''al-Ifsah an ma'ani al-sihah''. vol. 1. p. 83</ref>

* It is not permissible to recite Adhan prior to the time of Fajr (dawn) in order to awaken people for its performance. If recited early, the Adhan must be repeated at the proper time of Fajr.<ref>al-Shaykh al-Mufid.''al-Muqni'a''. p. 98</ref>

According to the tradition of the holy Prophet (s), Adhan is whispered into the right ear - and [[Iqama]] into the left ear - of every newly born Muslim child.<ref>al-Kulayni, Muhammad b. Ya'qub. ''al-Kafi''. vol. 6. p. 233-24; al-Shaykh al-Tusi. ''al-Tahdhib''. vol. 7. p. 436-437</ref>

In the past, Adhan has also been used to call for public gathering in situations such as announcing the demise of a well-known figure, warning of a nearby fire, or demanding for justice.<ref> Jaziri, 'Abd l-Rahman. ''al-Fiqh 'ala al-madhahib al-arba'a''. vol. 1 p. 325; Nizam al-mulk, Hasan. ''Siasat nama''. p. 66 ff</ref>

*[[Hayy-a 'ala khayr al-'amal]]

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* Abu 'Abd allah 'Alawi. ''Al-Adhan bi Hayya 'ala khayril'amal''. Ed. Yahya 'Abd al-karim. Damascus, 1989.

* Abu Dawud, ''Sunan Abu Dawud''. Istanbul, 1981.

* Shaykh al-Saduq, Muhammad b. 'Ali b. Babawayh al-. ''Man la yahduruh al-faqih''. Beirut, 1981.

* Daraqutni, 'Ali .''Sunan'' . Beirut, 1986.

* Jaziri, 'Abd l-Rahman. ''Al-Fiqh 'ala al-madhahib al-arba'a''. Cairo: al-Tab'at al-Tijariya.

* Nasa'i, Ahmad. ''Sunan al-Nasa'I''. Istanbul, 1981.