إدريس عبدالله
_21 _May _2016هـ الموافق 21-05-2016م, 06:53 PM
In Arabic, the word "Adhan" is to call or to inform. Religiously, it is a call made to inform people that the time of prayer has begun. It is obligatory for the congregation in the mosque while for individuals praying alone at home, for example, it is a highly preferred act. It begins by proclaiming the greatness and oneness of Allah and the denial of disbelief and polytheism, testifying to the messengership of Prophet Muhammad -May peace and blessings be upon him - and then calling to prosperity, which is everlasting, pointing to the return to Allah – the Almighty.
The "Iqamah" is the second and final Call to Prayer and is said immediately before the beginning of the obligatory prayer indicating that it is actually time to perform the prayer.
The story of Adhan and its Legislation:
Adhan was made part of ‘Shari'ah’ during the first year of the Muslims’ migration to Madinah. Before its legislation, Muslims used to agree on fixed times for congregational prayers. Even yet, they sometimes found it difficult to remember the exact timings.
One day, The Messenger of Allah Muhammad - may peace and blessings be upon him - and the Muslims discussed the matter of calling the people to prayer at the exact time. The companions of the Prophet - May peace, put many opinions forward and blessings be upon him - about the issue. Some suggested the use of a bell like the Christians, others suggested the use of a horn like the Jews, but Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, suggested sending someone to announce the prayer.
Then Allah's Messenger - may peace and blessings be upon him - agreed to use a bell, but he -may peace and blessings be upon him - was not happy to use it because of its similarity with the Christian practice.
After the Prophet -may peace and blessings be upon him - had ordered a bell to be made so that it could be struck to gather the people for Prayer, a companion, Abdullah Ibn Zayd Ibn Abd Rabbih may Allah be pleased with him said: "I was sleeping when I saw in my dream that a man carrying a bell in his hands, and I said: "Slave of Allah, will you sell this to me?" Then he asked what I would do with it? I replied that we would use it to call the people to Prayer. He said: "Shall I not guide you to something better than that?" I replied: "Certainly," Then he told me to say the ‘Adhan’ and he told me its wordings.
When I told the Messenger -may peace and blessings be upon him - in the morning about the vision, he -may peace and blessings be upon him - said: "It is a true vision, Inshaa’Allah, so get up along with Bilal, and when you have taught him what you have seen, let him use it in making the call to Prayer, for he has a stronger voice than you." So, I got up along with Bilal and began to teach it to him, and he used it in making the call to Prayer.
Umar Ibn Al-Khattab may Allah be pleased with him heard this when he was in his house, and came out trailing his cloak and said, "Allah's Messenger, by Him Who has sent you with the truth, I have seen the same thing (during sleep) as has been said." To this Allah's Messenger -may peace and blessings be upon him - replied: Praise be to Allah!" [Ahmad and At-Tirmithi]
The "Iqamah" is the second and final Call to Prayer and is said immediately before the beginning of the obligatory prayer indicating that it is actually time to perform the prayer.
The story of Adhan and its Legislation:
Adhan was made part of ‘Shari'ah’ during the first year of the Muslims’ migration to Madinah. Before its legislation, Muslims used to agree on fixed times for congregational prayers. Even yet, they sometimes found it difficult to remember the exact timings.
One day, The Messenger of Allah Muhammad - may peace and blessings be upon him - and the Muslims discussed the matter of calling the people to prayer at the exact time. The companions of the Prophet - May peace, put many opinions forward and blessings be upon him - about the issue. Some suggested the use of a bell like the Christians, others suggested the use of a horn like the Jews, but Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, suggested sending someone to announce the prayer.
Then Allah's Messenger - may peace and blessings be upon him - agreed to use a bell, but he -may peace and blessings be upon him - was not happy to use it because of its similarity with the Christian practice.
After the Prophet -may peace and blessings be upon him - had ordered a bell to be made so that it could be struck to gather the people for Prayer, a companion, Abdullah Ibn Zayd Ibn Abd Rabbih may Allah be pleased with him said: "I was sleeping when I saw in my dream that a man carrying a bell in his hands, and I said: "Slave of Allah, will you sell this to me?" Then he asked what I would do with it? I replied that we would use it to call the people to Prayer. He said: "Shall I not guide you to something better than that?" I replied: "Certainly," Then he told me to say the ‘Adhan’ and he told me its wordings.
When I told the Messenger -may peace and blessings be upon him - in the morning about the vision, he -may peace and blessings be upon him - said: "It is a true vision, Inshaa’Allah, so get up along with Bilal, and when you have taught him what you have seen, let him use it in making the call to Prayer, for he has a stronger voice than you." So, I got up along with Bilal and began to teach it to him, and he used it in making the call to Prayer.
Umar Ibn Al-Khattab may Allah be pleased with him heard this when he was in his house, and came out trailing his cloak and said, "Allah's Messenger, by Him Who has sent you with the truth, I have seen the same thing (during sleep) as has been said." To this Allah's Messenger -may peace and blessings be upon him - replied: Praise be to Allah!" [Ahmad and At-Tirmithi]