The Azaan or Adhaan is the Islamic call to prayer which is delivered by a mu’azzin (one who is appointed for this duty) at the prescribed time of the five daily Salah.
The first mu’azzin of Islam was Sayyidina Bilal who was known for his stunning voice, and so the role as a mu’azzin is one of great honor and virtue.
As an indication of respect, one should talk during the Adhaan but should listen attentively.
Sayyidina ibn Umar reports, “When the Muslims arrived at Madinah, they used to assemble for the prayer, and used to guess the time for it. During those days, the practice of Adhaan for the prayers had not been introduced yet. Once they discussed this problem regarding the call for prayer. Some people suggested the use of a bell like the Christians, others proposed a trumpet like the horn used by the Jews, but Umar was the first to suggest that a man should call (the people) for the prayer; so Allah’s Messenger ordered Bilal to get up and pronounce the Adhaan for prayers.” [Bukhari, Hadith no. 578]
الله أكبر
Allahu Akbar God is the Greatest [4x]
أشهد أن لا اله إلا الله
Ash-hadu al-la ilaha illa llah I bear witness that there is no God but Allah [2x]
أشهد أن محمدا رسول الله
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah I bear witness that Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is Allah’s Messenger [2x]
حي على الصلاة
Hayya alas-salah Come to prayer [2x]
حي على الفلاح
Hayya alal-falah Come to salvation [2x]
الله أكبر
Allahu Akbar God is the Greatest [2x]
لا إله إلا الله
La ilaha illallah There is no God but Allah [1x]
• The phrase Assalatu Khairum Minan Naum, meaning “Prayer is better than sleep”, is added for the Adhaan of the Fajr prayer.
• The iqama is the second call to prayer delivered in a shorter, plainer manner of recitation immediately before the congregational prayers. Each line is read only once except for the additional line of Qad qama-tis Salah, meaning “Prayer has begun”, which is repeated twice.
After the Adhaan, a special supplication is recited as narrated by Sayyidina Jabir bin Abdullah, who reports that Allah’s Messenger, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever after listening to the Adhaan says, ‘Allahumma Rabba haazihid-da’waatit-taammati was-salaatil qaa’imati, aati Muhammadan al-wasilaata wal-fadilata, wab’ ath-hu maqaamam mahmuda nil-lazi wa’ad-tah,’ (O Allah! Lord of this perfect call, and of the regular prayer which is going to be established! Kindly give Muhammad the right of intercession and superiority, and send him to the best and the highest place in Paradise which You have promised him), then intercession for me will be permitted for him on the Day of Resurrection.” [Bukhari, Hadith no. 588]