I thought it may be good to help Muslims, new and old, by explaining the actions of prayer. I have previously covered some issues around washing and cleanliness: How to Pray Part 1: Cleanliness and How to Pray Part 2: Getting ready for Prayer
THE CALL TO PRAYER (ADHAAN)
Whether in a Masjid, home or an open place, when two or more people want to pray in congregation, one person should make the Call to Prayer. The Call to Prayer is performed by a man. He does this by standing and facing Makkah, raising his hands to his ears and then making the Call to Prayer in a loud but melodious voice.
The words of the Adhaan (for all obligatory prayers except Fajr) are:
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Ash-hadu an la ilaaha illallah, Ash-hadu an la ilaaha illallah
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadur Rasoolullah, Ash-hadu anna Muhammadur Rasoolullah
Hayya alas-salaah, hayya alas-salaah
Hayya alal-falaah, hayya alal-falaah
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
La ilaaha illallah
Translated this is:
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 the prayer, Come to the prayer
Come to the success, Come to the success
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest
There is no god except Allah
The Adhaan for Fajr
The Adhaan for Fajr is slightly different.
The words of the Adhaan (for all obligatory prayers except Fajr) are:
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Ash-hadu an la ilaaha illallah, Ash-hadu an la ilaaha illallah
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadur Rasoolullah, Ash-hadu anna Muhammadur Rasoolullah
Hayya alas-salaah, hayya alas-salaah
Hayya alal-falaah, hayya alal-falaah
As-salaatu khayrum minan nawm, As-salaatu khayrum minan nawm
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
La ilaaha illallah
Translated this is:
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 the prayer, Come to the prayer
Come to the success, Come to the success
Prayer is better than sleep, Prayer is better than sleep
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest
There is no god except Allah
Repeating the Adhaan
If you are listening to a Mu’adhin performing the Adhaan, you should repeat what he says. When the Mu’adhin says “Hayya alas-Salaah”, or “Hayya alal-falaah”, instead of repeating this, you should say “La hawla wa laa quwwatta illa billah” (which means “There is no Might and no Power except by Allah”). This is from Bukhari and Muslim.
After the Adhaan
When the Adhaan has finished, the mu’adhin and the listener should invoke blessings on the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), as follows:
Allahumma salli ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa aali Muhammadin kamaa sallayta ‘alaa Ibraheema wa ‘alaa aali Ibraheema, innaka Hameedum Majeed. Allahumma baarik ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa aali Muhammadin kamaa baarakta ‘alaa Ibraheema wa ‘alaa aali Ibraheema, innaka Hameedum Majeed.
This means: O Allah! Show Mercy to Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You have Shown Mercy to Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious. O Allah! Bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You have Blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious.
Then make the following dua:
Allahumma Rabba haathihid-da’watit-taammati wassalaatil-qaa’imati, ‘aati Muhammadanil-waseelata walfadheelata wab’ath-hu maqaamam-mahmoodanil-lathee wa’adtahu, [‘innaka laa tukhliful-mee’aad]
O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and established prayer. Grant Muhammad the intercession and favour, and raise him to the honoured station You Have Promised him. [Verily You Do Not Neglect promises]
This is from Sahih Bukhari.
CALLING THE IQAAMAH
The Iqaamah is slightly different from the Adhaan in that it signals that the obligatory prayer is about to start. The Iqaamah is pronounced by the same person who performed the Adhaan.
The words of the Iqaamah are:
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Ash-hadu an la ilaaha illallah
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadur Rasoolullah
Hayya alas-salaah, hayya alal-falaah
Qad qaamatis-salaah, Qad qaamatis-salaah
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
La ilaaha illallah
Translated this is:
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest
I bear witness that there is no god except Allah
I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
Come to the prayer, Come to the success
The prayer is being established, the prayer is being established
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest
There is no god except Allah
Listen to the Adhaan
If you would like to listen to recordings of the Adhaan, visit my page on Qur’an and Adhaan.
Move on to “How to Pray Part 4: Performing the Prayer”
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Jazakum
subhanallah alhamdullah allahu akbar