Thread by @sirnucy

The Sunnah of the Adhān

One of the fastest dwindling Sunnah among many contemporary Muslims is the etiquette of the Adhān. Some 30-35 years ago, some of us were fortunate to be taught the Adhān by the elderly babas who were the custodians of our mosques.

They prepared us for the inevitable transition of religious duties from the older generation to the younger one. Today, such noble act is rare in society not because the elderly are unwilling to teach but because the younger ones are too self-assuming and indulged to learn.

The sad reality- without the slightest intent to exaggerate- is that many of our brothers cannot pronounce the Adhān properly. It might sound degrading or, rather funny or untrue but that’s the sad reality that faces us today. In any case, that’s a matter for another day.

The Adhān is a noble call that must be respected and obeyed. For this reason, it is incumbent on every Muslim; male or female, old or young, in a state of purity or impure to observe the following etiquette of the Adhān:

1. Repeat the wordings of the Adhān:

Abū Sa’īd al-Khudrī narrated that the Messenger of Allāh said:

إذا سمعتم النداء فقولوا كما يقول. (متفق عليه).

“When you hear the call to prayer, repeat what he says.”

This injunction applies to everything that the caller says including the saying of الصلاة خير من النوم at Fajr

However, there is an exception to this rule with regards to the saying of the حيّعلتين by the Muadh-dhin. When he proclaims each of حي على الصلاة and حي على الفلاح, the Sunnah is to say in each case, لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله . Umar bn al-Khattāb reported that Allāh’s

Apostle said:“If the Mu’adh-dhin says ‘Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar’ and one of you says, ‘Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar’; then he says ‘Ash-hadu an lā ilāha illā-Allāh’ and you say ‘Ash-hadu an lā ilāha illā-Allāh’; then he says, ‘Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasūlullāh’ and you say,

‘Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasūlullāh’; then he says, ‘Hayya ‘alā’sl-salāh’ and you say ‘Lā hawla wa lā quwwata illā Billāh’; then he says, ‘Hayya ‘alā’l-falāh’ and you say ‘Lā hawla wa lā quwwata illā Billāh’; then he says, ‘Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar’ and you say, ‘Allāhu Akbar,

Allāhu Akbar’; then he says ‘Lā ilāha illā-Allāh’ and you say, ‘Lā ilāha illā-Allāh’ from the heart(that is with sincerity) he will enter Paradise.”

2. Make salutations or peace & blessing for the Prophet

Abdullāh bn Amrū bn ‘Ās said that he heard the Messenger of Allāh saying:

“When you hear the Mu’adh-dhin, repeat after him, then, send salutations of peace to me. Whosoever makes one salutation of peace for me, Allāh will send ten salutations to him. After that, ask Allāh to grant me intercession. It is a position in Jannah which is reserved for just

one servant of Allāh. I hope that I’m given it. Whoever seeks intercession for me, my intercession for him will be permitted (on the Day of Resurrection).

3. Say
رَضيتُ بالله ربّا وبمحمد رسولا وبالإسلام دينا

Sa’d bn Abī waqqās said, the Messenger of Allāh said:

Whoever says upon hearing the Adhān: “I also bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allāh alone, Who has no partner, & that Muhammad is His slave & His Messenger. I am pleased with Allāh as my Lord, with Muhammad as my Messenger & with Islam as my religion”,

his sins shall be forgiven.

4. Seek intercession for the Prophet:

The Prophet said, “Whoever says upon upon hearing the Adhān:

اللهم رَبَّ هذه الدعوة التَّامة والصَّلاَةِ القَائِمَةِ آتِ محمداً الوَسِيْلَةَ والفَضِيْلَةَ، وابْعَثْهُ مَقَاماً مَحْمُوداً الذي وَعَدْتَه

“O Allāh , Lord of this perfect call and established prayer. Grant Muhammad the intercession and favor, and raise him to the honored station You have promised him”, my intercession for him will be permitted (on the Day of Resurrection).

5. Make supplication for oneself

Abdullāh bn Amrū bn al-‘Ās said:

قل كما يقولون ، فإذا انتهيت فسل ، تعطه

“Repeat what the Mu’adh-dhins say, and when you’re done, seek & you shall be granted.”

These are the etiquette of the Adhān. Don't be negligent.