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

Al-Adhān is the Islamic call to prayer. It announces to Muslims that it is time to pray, and it is called from mosques five times every day. The word “Adhān” comes from an Arabic word meaning “to announce” or “to inform”. The person who calls it is the Mu’adhdhin, and the first Mu’adhdhin in Islam was Bilāl.

Behavioural objectives

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

• state the meaning of Al-Adhān
• name the person who calls the Adhān and the first Mu’adhdhin in Islam
• say the first part of the Adhān in Arabic and give its English meaning
• list the five times of the day when the Adhān is called
• say what Muslims should do when they hear the Adhān

What is Al-Adhān?

Al-Adhān is the Islamic call to prayer. It is the announcement that tells Muslims it is time to pray. The word “Adhān” comes from an Arabic word that means “to announce” or “to inform.”

When you hear the Adhān, it means one of the five daily prayers is about to begin and Muslims should prepare for prayer.

Why is the Adhān important?

The Adhān is very important in Islam because:

• It announces the time for prayer
• It reminds Muslims to stop their activities and pray
• It is heard five times every day from mosques
• It calls people to worship Allah
• It is a beautiful way to remember Allah
• It unites Muslims when they hear it
• The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us the Adhān

Who calls the Adhān?

The person who calls the Adhān is called a Mu’adhdhin (or Muezzin). This is a special person chosen to make the call to prayer. The Mu’adhdhin should:

• Have a good, clear voice
• Be a good Muslim
• Know the words of the Adhān correctly
• Call the Adhān at the right times
• Stand facing the Qibla (direction of Ka’bah in Makkah)

Who was the first Mu’adhdhin?

The first person to call the Adhān in Islam was Bilāl ibn Rabāh (may Allah be pleased with him). He was a companion of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and had a very beautiful voice. The Prophet chose him to call the Adhān because of his strong, clear voice.

What are the words of the first part of the Adhān?

Today we will learn the first part of the Adhān. We will learn it in Arabic, how to read it, and what it means in English.

1. Allāhu Akbar (said 4 times)

Arabic: اللهُ أَكْبَر – اللهُ أَكْبَر – اللهُ أَكْبَر – اللهُ أَكْبَر

Transliteration: Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar

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

Explanation: We start the Adhān by saying “Allāhu Akbar” four times. This means Allah is greater than everything. Nothing is more important than Allah. When we hear these words, we should stop what we are doing and prepare for prayer.

2. Ash-hadu an lā ilāha illallāh (said 2 times)

Arabic: أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ الله – أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ الله

Transliteration: Ash-hadu an lā ilāha illallāh, Ash-hadu an lā ilāha illallāh

English meaning: I bear witness that there is no god except Allah, I bear witness that there is no god except Allah

Explanation: This is the first part of the Shahādah (declaration of faith). It means we believe that only Allah is God and there is no other god worthy of worship. This is the most important belief in Islam.

3. Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasūlullāh (said 2 times)

Arabic: أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ الله – أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ الله

Transliteration: Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasūlullāh, Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasūlullāh

English meaning: I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

Explanation: This is the second part of the Shahādah. It means we believe that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the messenger sent by Allah to guide us. We must follow his teachings.

The first part of the Adhān at a glance

1. Allāhu Akbar (4 times): Allah is the Greatest
2. Ash-hadu an lā ilāha illallāh (2 times): I bear witness that there is no god except Allah
3. Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasūlullāh (2 times): I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

How can we memorise the Adhān?

To memorise the Adhān:

• Listen to it carefully when you hear it from the mosque
• Repeat each line several times
• Practise with your teacher and parents
• Say it out loud many times
• Listen to recordings of beautiful Adhān
• Write it down in your notebook
• Practise every day

When do we hear the Adhān?

We hear the Adhān five times every day:

1. At Fajr time (dawn)
2. At Zuhr time (noon)
3. At ‘Asr time (afternoon)
4. At Maghrib time (sunset)
5. At ‘Ishā time (night)

What should we do when we hear the Adhān?

When we hear the Adhān, we should:

• Stop talking and listen carefully
• Repeat the words of the Adhān quietly after the Mu’adhdhin
• When the Mu’adhdhin says “Hayya ‘alas-Salāh” (come to prayer), say “Lā hawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh” (There is no power except with Allah)
• After the Adhān ends, make du’ā (supplication)
• Prepare for prayer by making ablution if we do not have it
• Go to the mosque or prayer area

What are the benefits of the Adhān?

The Adhān has many benefits:

• It announces prayer time to everyone
• It reminds us to remember Allah
• It brings Muslims together
• It beautifies the environment with remembrance of Allah
• It drives away Shaytan (Satan)
• Listening to it brings rewards
• It is a symbol of Islam
• It teaches us the basic beliefs of Islam

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer from the options given.

1. Adhān means ______
   • A) Prayer
   • B) Call to prayer
   • C) Mosque
   • D) Ablution
2. The person who calls the Adhān is called ______
   • A) Imam
   • B) Mu’adhdhin
   • C) Teacher
   • D) Student
3. “Allāhu Akbar” means ______
   • A) Allah is kind
   • B) Allah is the Greatest
   • C) Allah is one
   • D) Allah is merciful
4. How many times do we say “Allāhu Akbar” at the beginning of the Adhān?
   • A) 2
   • B) 3
   • C) 4
   • D) 5
5. The first Mu’adhdhin in Islam was ______
   • A) Abu Bakr
   • B) Umar
   • C) Bilāl
   • D) Ali
6. “Ash-hadu an lā ilāha illallāh” means ______
   • A) Allah is great
   • B) I bear witness that there is no god except Allah
   • C) Come to prayer
   • D) Prayer is better than sleep
7. How many times is the Adhān called every day?
   • A) 3
   • B) 4
   • C) 5
   • D) 6
8. When we hear the Adhān, we should ______
   • A) Continue playing
   • B) Listen and repeat
   • C) Sleep
   • D) Ignore it
9. “Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasūlullāh” means ______
   • A) Allah is one
   • B) I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
   • C) Come to success
   • D) Allah is the Greatest
10. The Adhān is called from the ______
    • A) School
    • B) Market
    • C) Mosque
    • D) Home only

Assignment

Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. What does Adhān mean?
2. Who was the first Mu’adhdhin in Islam?
3. Write the English meaning of “Allāhu Akbar”.
4. How many times do we hear the Adhān every day?
5. Memorise the first part of the Adhān (from Allāhu Akbar to Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasūlullāh) and recite it to your parents. Ask them to sign here: _______________