The Book of the Adhan and the Sunnah Regarding It

Chapter 1Chapter: How The Adhan Began

Good (hasan) No. 706

The Messenger of Allah was thinking of a horn, and he commanded that a bell be made and it was done. Then 'Abdullah bin Zaid had a dream. He said: "I saw a man wearing two green garments, carrying a bell. I said to him, 'O slave of Allah, will you sell the bell?' He said; 'What will you do with…

"‏ إِنَّ صَاحِبَكُمْ قَدْ رَأَى رُؤْيَا فَاخْرُجْ مَعَ بِلاَلٍ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ فَأَلْقِهَا عَلَيْهِ وَلْيُنَادِ بِلاَلٌ فَإِنَّهُ أَنْدَى صَوْتًا مِنْكَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَ بِلاَلٍ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ…

Narrated by Abu Abdullah ibn Zayd

Differing grades No. 707

The Prophet consulted the people as to how he could call them to the prayer. They suggested a horn, but he disliked that because of the Jews (because the Jews used a horn). Then they suggested a bell but he disliked that because of the Christians (because the Christians used a bell). Then that…

فَأَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ بِلاَلاً بِهِ فَأَذَّنَ ‏.‏

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar

Chapter 2Chapter: Repeating The Words In The Adhan

Authentic No. 708

"Abdul-'Aziz bin 'Abdul-Malik bin Abu Mahdhurah narrated from 'Abdullah bin muhairiz who was an orphan under the care of Abu Mahdhurah bin mi'yar that when he was preparing him to travel to Sham, he said: 'O my uncle, I am going out to Sham, and I will be asked about how you started the Adhan.' So…

"‏ أَيُّكُمُ الَّذِي سَمِعْتُ صَوْتَهُ قَدِ ارْتَفَعَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَأَشَارَ إِلَىَّ الْقَوْمُ كُلُّهُمْ وَصَدَقُوا فَأَرْسَلَ كُلَّهُمْ وَحَبَسَنِي وَقَالَ لِي ‏"‏ قُمْ فَأَذِّنْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَقُمْتُ وَلاَ شَىْءَ أَكْرَهُ…

Narrated by Abu Mahdhūra + 26 other versions

Differing grades No. 709

"The Messenger of Allah taught me the Adhan with nineteen phrases and the Iqamah with seventeen. The Adhan is: Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar; Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah, Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah; Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah, Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan…

عَلَّمَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ الأَذَانَ تِسْعَ عَشْرَةَ كَلِمَةً وَالإِقَامَةَ سَبْعَ عَشْرَةَ كَلِمَةً الأَذَانُ ‏"‏ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ…

Narrated by Abu Mahdhūra + 26 other versions

Chapter 3Chapter: The Sunnah Regarding The Adhan

Weak No. 710

The Messenger of Allah commanded Bilal to put his fingers in his ears when calling the Adhan, and he said: "It makes the voice louder."

"‏ إِنَّهُ أَرْفَعُ لِصَوْتِكَ ‏"

Narrator: سعد بن عائذ الأنصاري

Differing grades No. 711

"I came to the Messenger of Allah in Abtah, when he was in a red tent. Bilal came out and gave the call to prayer, turning around and putting his fingers in his ears."

أَتَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ بِالأَبْطَحِ وَهُوَ فِي قُبَّةٍ حَمْرَاءَ فَخَرَجَ بِلاَلٌ فَأَذَّنَ فَاسْتَدَارَ فِي أَذَانِهِ وَجَعَلَ إِصْبَعَيْهِ فِي أُذُنَيْهِ ‏.‏

Narrated by Abu Juhayfah

Differing grades No. 712

"The Messenger of Allah said: There are two characteristics in which the Muslims are dependent upon their Mu'adh-dhins: their prayer and their fasting."

"‏ خَصْلَتَانِ مُعَلَّقَتَانِ فِي أَعْنَاقِ الْمُؤَذِّنِينَ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ صَلاَتُهُمْ وَصِيَامُهُمْ ‏"

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar + 1 other version

Differing grades No. 713

"Bilal did not delay the Adhan from its proper time, but he sometimes delayed the Iqamah a little."

كَانَ بِلاَلٌ لاَ يُؤَخِّرُ الأَذَانَ عَنِ الْوَقْتِ وَرُبُّمَا أَخَّرَ الإِقَامَةَ شَيْئًا ‏.‏

Narrated by Jābir ibn Samurah

Authentic No. 714

"The last instruction that the Messenger of Allah gave to me was that I should not appoint a Mu'adh-dhin who took payment for the Adhan." (sahih)

آخِرُ مَا عَهِدَ إِلَىَّ النَّبِيُّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ أَنْ لاَ أَتَّخِذَ مُؤَذِّنًا يَأْخُذُ عَلَى الأَذَانِ أَجْرًا ‏.‏

Narrated by Uthmān ibn Abu al-‘ās

Weak No. 715

"The Messenger of Allah commanded me (with Tathwib) in the Adhan for Fajr, and he forbade me to do so in the Adhan for 'Isha'."

أَمَرَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ أَنْ أُثَوِّبَ فِي الْفَجْرِ وَنَهَانِي أَنْ أُثَوِّبَ فِي الْعِشَاءِ ‏.‏

Narrated by Bilāal

Differing grades No. 716

"He is sleeping." He said: "As-salatu khairum minan-nawm, As-salatu khairum minan-nawm (The prayer is better than sleep, the prayer is better than sleep). These words were approved of in the Adhan for the Fajr, and that is how it remained.

الصَّلاَةُ خَيْرٌ مِنَ النَّوْمِ الصَّلاَةُ خَيْرٌ مِنَ النَّوْمِ فَأُقِرَّتْ فِي تَأْذِينِ الْفَجْرِ فَثَبَتَ الأَمْرُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ

Narrated by Bilāal

Weak No. 717

"I was with the Messenger of Allah on a journey, and he commanded me to call the Adhan. Bilal wanted to call the Iqamah, but the Messenger of Allah said: 'The brother of Suda' called the Adhan, and the one who calls the Adhan is the one who calls the Iqamah.'"

"‏ إِنَّ أَخَا صُدَاءٍ قَدْ أَذَّنَ وَمَنْ أَذَّنَ فَهُوَ يُقِيمُ ‏"

Narrated by Ziyād ibn al-Hārith as-Sudā’ī + 2 other versions

Chapter 4Chapter: What Should Be Said When The Mu'adh-dhin Calls The Adhan

Differing grades No. 718

"The Messenger of Allah said: 'When the Mu'adh-dhin calls the Adhan, say as he says.'"

"‏ إِذَا أَذَّنَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ فَقُولُوا مِثْلَ قَوْلِهِ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Differing grades No. 719

When the Messenger of Allah was with her on her day and night, and heard the Mu'adh-dhin calling the Adhan, she heard him saying what he said.

إِذَا كَانَ عِنْدَهَا فِي يَوْمِهَا وَلَيْلَتِهَا فَسَمِعَ الْمُؤَذِّنَ يُؤَذِّنُ قَالَ كَمَا يَقُولُ الْمُؤَذِّنُ ‏.‏

Narrated by Umm Habība

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) No. 720

"The Messenger of Allah said: 'When you hear the call (to prayer), say what the Mu'adh-dhin says.'"

"‏ إِذَا سَمِعْتُمُ النِّدَاءَ فَقُولُوا كَمَا يَقُولُ الْمُؤَذِّنُ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri + 11 other versions

Authentic No. 721

The Messenger of Allah said: "Whoever says, when he hears the Mu'adh-dhin, 'Wa ana Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluhu, radaytu Billahi rabban wa bil-islami dinan wa bi muhammadin nabiyyan (And I bear witness that none has the right…

"‏ مَنْ قَالَ حِينَ يَسْمَعُ الْمُؤَذِّنَ وَأَنَا أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ رَضِيتُ بِاللَّهِ رَبًّا وَبِالإِسْلاَمِ دِينًا…

Narrated by Sa‘d + 7 other versions

Authentic No. 722

"The Messenger of Allah said: 'Whoever says when he hears the call to the prayer: "Allahumma Rabba hadhihid-da'watit-tammah was-salatil-qa'imah, ati Muhammadanil-wasilata wal-fadilah, wab'athhu maqaman mahmudanilladhi wa'adtah (O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and the prayer to be offered, grant…

"‏ مَنْ قَالَ حِينَ يَسْمَعُ النِّدَاءَ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ وَالصَّلاَةِ الْقَائِمَةِ آتِ مُحَمَّدًا الْوَسِيلَةَ وَالْفَضِيلَةَ وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَامًا مَحْمُودًا الَّذِي وَعَدْتَهُ - إِلاَّ…

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 9 other versions

Chapter 5Chapter: The Virtue Of The Adhan And The Reward Of The Mu'adh-dhin

Authentic No. 723

His father who was under the care of Abu Sa'eed said: "Abu Sa'eed said to me: 'If you are in the desert, raise your voice when you say the Adhan, for I heard the Messenger of Allah say: 'No jinn, human, tree or rock will hear it, but it will bear witness for you.'"

"‏ لاَ يَسْمَعُهُ جِنٌّ وَلاَ إِنْسٌ وَلاَ شَجَرٌ وَلاَ حَجَرٌ إِلاَّ شَهِدَ لَهُ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri + 1 other version

Authentic No. 724

"I heard the Messenger of Allah himself say: 'The Mu'adh-dhin's sins will be forgiven as far as his voice reaches, and every wet and dry thing will pray for forgiveness for him. For the one who attends the prayer, twenty-five Hasanat (good deeds) will be recorded, and it is will be expiation (for…

"‏ الْمُؤَذِّنُ يُغْفَرُ لَهُ مَدَّ صَوْتِهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُ لَهُ كُلُّ رَطْبٍ وَيَابِسٍ وَشَاهِدُ الصَّلاَةِ يُكْتَبُ لَهُ خَمْسٌ وَعِشْرُونَ حَسَنَةً وَيُكَفَّرُ عَنْهُ مَا بَيْنَهُمَا ‏"

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah + 7 other versions

Authentic No. 725

"I heard Mu'awiyah bin Abu Sufyan say that Messenger of Allah said: "The Mu'adh-dhin will have the longest necks of all people on the Day of Resurrection."

"‏ الْمُؤَذِّنُونَ أَطْوَلُ النَّاسِ أَعْنَاقًا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ‏"

Narrated by Mu‘āwiyah + 5 other versions

Weak No. 726

"The Messenger of Allah said: 'Let the best of you give the call to prayer (Adhan), and let those who are most versed in the Qur'an lead you in prayer.'"

"‏ لِيُؤَذِّنْ لَكُمْ خِيَارُكُمْ وَلْيَؤُمَّكُمْ قُرَّاؤُكُمْ ‏"

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 2 other versions

Weak No. 727

"The Messenger of Allah said: 'Whoever calls the Adhan for seven years, seeking reward (from Allah), Allah will decree for him deliverance from the Fire.'"

"‏ مَنْ أَذَّنَ مُحْتَسِبًا سَبْعَ سِنِينَ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بَرَاءَةً مِنَ النَّارِ ‏"

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 2 other versions

Differing grades No. 728

The Messenger of Allah said: "Whoever calls the Adhan for twelve years, he will be guaranteed Paradise, and for each day sixty Hasanat (good deeds) will be recorded for him by virtue of his Adhan, and thirty Hasanat by virtue of his Iqamah."

"‏ مَنْ أَذَّنَ ثِنْتَىْ عَشْرَةَ سَنَةً وَجَبَتْ لَهُ الْجَنَّةُ وَكُتِبَ لَهُ بِتَأْذِينِهِ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ سِتُّونَ حَسَنَةً وَلِكُلِّ إِقَامَةٍ ثَلاَثُونَ حَسَنَةً ‏"

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar + 1 other version

Chapter 6Chapter: Saying The Phrases Of The Iqamah Once

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) No. 729

"They looked for something by means of which they could call out informing of (the time of) the prayer. Then Bilal was commanded to say the phrases of the Adhan twice and the phrases of the Iqamah once."

الْتَمَسُوا شَيْئًا يُؤْذِنُونَ بِهِ عِلْمًا لِلصَّلاَةِ فَأُمِرَ بِلاَلٌ أَنْ يَشْفَعَ الأَذَانَ وَيُوتِرَ الإِقَامَةَ ‏.‏

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik + 19 other versions

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) No. 730

"Bilal was commanded to say the phrases of the Adhan twice and the phrases of the Iqamah once."

أُمِرَ بِلاَلٌ أَنْ يَشْفَعَ، الأَذَانَ وَيُوتِرَ الإِقَامَةَ ‏.‏

Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik + 19 other versions

Differing grades No. 731

In the Adhan of Bilal, the phrases were two by two, and in his Iqamah they were said once.

أَذَانَ بِلاَلٍ كَانَ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى وَإِقَامَتُهُ مُفْرَدَةً ‏.‏

Narrator: سعد بن عائذ الأنصاري

Differing grades No. 732

"I saw Bilal calling the Adhan in fron of Allah's Messenger, (saying the phrases) two by two, and saying each phrase once in the Iqamah."

رَأَيْتُ بِلاَلاً يُؤَذِّنُ بَيْنَ يَدَىْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى وَيُقِيمُ وَاحِدَةً ‏.‏

Narrated by Abu Rāfi

Chapter 7Chapter: If The Adhan Is Called And You Are In The Mosque, Then Do Not Leave

Authentic No. 733

"We were sitting in the mosque with Abu Hurairah when the Mu'adh-dhin called the Adhan. A man got up and walked out of the mosque, and Abu Hurairah followed him with his gaze until he left the mosque. Then Abu Hurairah said: "This man has disobeyed Abul-Qasim.'"

أَمَّا هَذَا فَقَدْ عَصَى أَبَا الْقَاسِمِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏.‏

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah + 13 other versions

Differing grades No. 734

"The Messenger of Allah said: 'Whoever hears the Adhan when he is in the mosque, then goes out and does not go out for any (legitimate) need and does not intend to return, is a hypocrite.'"

"‏ مَنْ أَدْرَكَهُ الأَذَانُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ لَمْ يَخْرُجْ لِحَاجَةٍ وَهُوَ لاَ يُرِيدُ الرَّجْعَةَ فَهُوَ مُنَافِقٌ ‏"

Narrated by Uthmān ibn ‘Affān + 1 other version