Al-Adhān (Call to Prayer): Continues – Basic 1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

The Adhān is the Muslim call to prayer. The Mu’adhdhin says it five times a day to announce each obligatory prayer. It invites Muslims to pray and declares the basic beliefs of Islam. This lesson also covers the second part of the Adhān, how to reply to it, and the difference between Adhān and Iqāmah.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• Name the person who calls the Adhān and state the qualities of a good Mu’adhdhin.
• List the five times of day when the Adhān is called and give reasons why it is called.
• Say and give the meaning of the second part of the Adhān, including the Fajr addition.
• State what to say when the Adhān is called and after it ends.
• Explain the difference between Adhān and Iqāmah.

Who calls the Adhān?

The person who calls the Adhān is called Al-Mu’adhdhin (the caller to prayer). Some people also call him Muezzin.

Qualities of a good Mu’adhdhin

• Must be a Muslim
• Should have a loud, clear and beautiful voice
• Must know the words of the Adhān correctly
• Should call the Adhān at the exact prayer times
• Must be trustworthy and reliable
• Should have good character
• Must stand facing the direction of Makkah (Qibla)
• Should put his fingers in his ears while calling (to make his voice louder)
• Should turn his face right when saying “Hayya ‘alas-Salāh”
• Should turn his face left when saying “Hayya ‘alal-Falāh”

When is the Adhān called?

The Adhān is called five times every day, one for each obligatory prayer:

1. Adhān for Fajr: at dawn, before sunrise
2. Adhān for Zuhr: at noon
3. Adhān for ‘Asr: in the afternoon
4. Adhān for Maghrib: immediately after sunset
5. Adhān for ‘Ishā: at night, after twilight

Why is the Adhān called?

The Adhān is called for several important reasons:

1. To announce prayer time: it informs Muslims that it is time to pray.
2. To remind Muslims: it reminds people to stop their activities and worship Allah.
3. To call people to Allah: it calls people to come to prayer and remember their Creator.
4. To declare Islamic beliefs: the words of the Adhān contain the basic beliefs of Islam.
5. To unite Muslims: when Muslims hear the Adhān, they all gather to pray together.
6. To drive away Shaytan: the Prophet said Shaytan runs away when he hears the Adhān.
7. To beautify the environment: the Adhān fills the air with the remembrance of Allah.
8. To follow the Prophet’s command: the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) commanded Muslims to call the Adhān.

What are the words of the Adhān? (second part)

Now let us learn the remaining part of the Adhān.

4. Hayya ‘alas-Salāh (said 2 times)

Arabic: حَيَّ عَلَى الصَّلاة – حَيَّ عَلَى الصَّلاة

Transliteration: Hayya ‘alas-Salāh, Hayya ‘alas-Salāh

English meaning: Come to prayer, Come to prayer

Explanation: This part invites all Muslims to come and pray. It is like saying “Prayer time has come, hurry to prayer!”

When the Mu’adhdhin says this, he turns his face to the right side.

When we hear this, we say: “Lā hawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh” (There is no power except with Allah).

5. Hayya ‘alal-Falāh (said 2 times)

Arabic: حَيَّ عَلَى الْفَلاَح – حَيَّ عَلَى الْفَلاَح

Transliteration: Hayya ‘alal-Falāh, Hayya ‘alal-Falāh

English meaning: Come to success, Come to success

Explanation: This means “Come to success and salvation!” It tells us that prayer brings true success in this life and the next life.

When the Mu’adhdhin says this, he turns his face to the left side.

When we hear this, we also say: “Lā hawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh”

Special addition for the Fajr Adhān

As-Salātu khayrun minan-naum (said 2 times, only in Fajr)

Arabic: الصَّلاَةُ خَيْرٌ مِنَ النَّوْم – الصَّلاَةُ خَيْرٌ مِنَ النَّوْم

Transliteration: As-Salātu khayrun minan-naum, As-Salātu khayrun minan-naum

English meaning: Prayer is better than sleep, Prayer is better than sleep

Explanation: This line is said only during the Fajr (dawn) Adhān because people are usually sleeping at that time. It reminds them that praying is better than continuing to sleep.

6. Allāhu Akbar (said 2 times)

Arabic: اللهُ أَكْبَر – اللهُ أَكْبَر

Transliteration: Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar

English meaning: Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

Explanation: Near the end, the Adhān repeats “Allāhu Akbar” two more times, emphasising that Allah is greater than everything.

7. Lā ilāha illallāh (said 1 time)

Arabic: لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ الله

Transliteration: Lā ilāha illallāh

English meaning: There is no god except Allah

Explanation: The Adhān ends with this declaration of faith, confirming that we worship only Allah.

What is the complete Adhān in order?

Here is the complete Adhān from beginning to end:

1. Allāhu Akbar (4 times)
2. Ash-hadu an lā ilāha illallāh (2 times)
3. Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasūlullāh (2 times)
4. Hayya ‘alas-Salāh (2 times)
5. Hayya ‘alal-Falāh (2 times)
6. [For Fajr only: As-Salātu khayrun minan-naum (2 times)]
7. Allāhu Akbar (2 times)
8. Lā ilāha illallāh (1 time)

Complete translation of the Adhān

“Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.

I bear witness that there is no god except Allah, I bear witness that there is no god except Allah.

I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

Come to prayer, Come to prayer.

Come to success, Come to success.

[For Fajr: Prayer is better than sleep, Prayer is better than sleep]

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.

There is no god except Allah.”

What should we say after the Adhān?

After the Adhān is finished, we should:

1. Repeat the Adhān: say the same words the Mu’adhdhin said (except for Hayya ‘alas-Salāh and Hayya ‘alal-Falāh, where we say “Lā hawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh”).
2. Send blessings on the Prophet: say “Allāhumma salli ‘alā Muhammad” (O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad).
3. Make du’ā: the Prophet said that du’ā made after the Adhān is accepted. We can ask Allah for anything good.

What is the difference between Adhān and Iqāmah?

• Adhān is the first call to prayer, announcing that prayer time has entered.
• Iqāmah is the second call, said just before starting the prayer.

Iqāmah has similar words to the Adhān but is said faster, and it includes “Qad qāmatis-Salāh” (The prayer has begun) said twice.

What are the important rules about the Adhān?

1. The Adhān should be called at the beginning of prayer time.
2. It should be called from a high place (like a minaret).
3. The Mu’adhdhin should face the Qibla.
4. It should be called with a loud, clear voice.
5. The Adhān is only for the five obligatory prayers.
6. Women do not call the Adhān in public, but they can say it quietly for themselves.

What are the rewards for calling the Adhān?

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

• The Mu’adhdhin will have the longest neck (be in a high position) on the Day of Judgement.
• His voice will reach as far as everything that hears it (and they will testify for him).
• Whoever calls the Adhān for seven years will be saved from Hellfire.
• When the Mu’adhdhin says “Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasūlullāh,” he should love the Prophet from his heart.

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer from the options given.

1. The Mu’adhdhin should face ______ while calling the Adhān.
   1. East
   2. West
   3. Qibla
   4. North
2. “Hayya ‘alas-Salāh” means ______.
   1. Allah is great
   2. Come to prayer
   3. Come to success
   4. Prayer is better than sleep
3. How many times is “Hayya ‘alal-Falāh” said in the Adhān?
   1. 1
   2. 2
   3. 3
   4. 4
4. “As-Salātu khayrun minan-naum” is said only in the ______ Adhān.
   1. Fajr
   2. Zuhr
   3. Maghrib
   4. ‘Ishā
5. “Hayya ‘alal-Falāh” means ______.
   1. Come to prayer
   2. Come to success
   3. Allah is the Greatest
   4. There is no god except Allah
6. The last words of the Adhān are ______.
   1. Allāhu Akbar
   2. Lā ilāha illallāh
   3. Hayya ‘alas-Salāh
   4. Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasūlullāh
7. When the Mu’adhdhin says “Hayya ‘alas-Salāh,” we should say ______.
   1. Allāhu Akbar
   2. Lā hawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh
   3. Alhamdulillah
   4. SubhānAllāh
8. “As-Salātu khayrun minan-naum” means ______.
   1. Allah is the Greatest
   2. Come to prayer
   3. Prayer is better than sleep
   4. Come to success
9. The Adhān is called ______ times every day.
   1. 3
   2. 4
   3. 5
   4. 6
10. The second call to prayer, said just before starting salah, is called ______.
    1. Adhān
    2. Iqāmah
    3. Takbīr
    4. Taslīm

Assignment

Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. What is the name of the person who calls the Adhān?
2. Why is the Adhān called five times a day?
3. Write the meaning of “Hayya ‘alas-Salāh.”
4. Which special words are added to the Fajr Adhān only?
5. Memorise the complete Adhān and recite it to your parents. Ask them to sign here: _______________