The Azan (Salah-call) is a specific invocation, in a specific way, at specific times, with specific words, to announce the arrival of a particular prayer time calling Muslims to gather for the prayer.
The Azan is mentioned in the Quran:
- …When the call to prayer is made on Friday, then proceed ˹diligently˺ to the remembrance of Allah and leave off ˹your˺ business… (62:9)
The legal ruling
azan for the obligatory prayers is an emphasised sunnah (tradition) upon men that includes Salah of Jumuah.
Likewise, the Iqamah (Saläh-start-call) is also an emphasised tradition whether one be a resident or a traveler.
- Neglecting this is a misdeed whether one is praying in congregation or alone.
- Regardless is one is praying on time or making up a missed prayer - it reminds a emphasised sunnah (al muwaqqada).
- Point: We should not deprive our homes of this blessing. We are still taking the form of congregation at home.
Words
Saläh-call is saying loud these words:
Allähu Akbar, Allähu Akbar
Allähu Akbar, Allähu Akbar
Ashhadu al lä iläha ill-Alläh
Ashhadu al lä iläha ill-Alläh
Ashhadu anna Muḧammad-ar rasülulläh
Ashhadu anna Muḧammad-ar rasülulläh
Ḧayya àlas̈ s̈aläh
Ḧayya àlas̈ s̈aläh
Ḧayya àlal faläḧ
Ḧayya àlal faläḧ
Allähu Akbar, Allähu Akbar
Lä iläha ill-Alläh
The harakah on the Ra when sayingg Allahu akbar, i.e. the matter is flexible
- Allahu akbar ()sukun in, or
- (fatha or ra) or
- dhamma on ra Allahu akbaru allahu akbar
Matters relating to the azaan at Fajr
In the call for Fajr, the caller should add the words As salatu khairum minan naum (salat is better than sleep) twice after the second Ḧayya àlal faläḧ.
- Salah is better than sleep, there is goodness in sleep
- reward with good intentions (e.g. rest for ibada, to avoid sins, etc)
- sleep is confort in this dunya, whilst salat is comfort in the hereafter (rahat fi akhirah)
Iqamat
- Same wordings as the azan in the hanafi school with the assition of Qad qämat-is̈ s̈aläh (salat is commencing) twice after Ḧayya àlal faläḧ
- Pace, azan (Saläh-call) is to be said slowly (with pauses, so that someone can repeat) while iqamat (Saläh-start-call) is to be said at a fast pace (continuously without pause).
Conditions of validity
- saläh-call is valid only in Arabic language.
- If a person says the Saläh-call in a language other than Arabic, it will be invalid whether he considers it a valid Saläh-call or not.
- the time of salat has entered, throughout the entire time
- called by a sane person
- pronounced with these specific statements (exact wording)
Resources
- Book: Al fiqh al muyassar
- Video: Athan & Iqamah | Al Fiqh Al Muyassar | Shaykh Khazen Zaoud