The Virtues of Adhan

Sources:

• Salih Al-Bukhari
• Sahih Muslim
• Sahih At-Targhib Wat-Tarhib, by Shaikh Nasir-ud-Deen Al-Albani
• Fiqhul- Ad’eyah wal-Adhkar, by Abdul-Razaaq bin Abdul-Muhsin Al-Badr.

1-The Excellence of the Adhan (The Call for the Prayer)

• Narrated Abu-Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) that Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “If the people knew (the reward of) pronouncing the Adhan and for standing in the first row [in congregational Salat (prayers)] and found no other way to get that by drawing lots. They would draw lots, and if they knew (the reward of) the Dhuhr prayer (in early moments of its stated time) they would race for it (go early) and if they knew the reward of ‘Isha and Fajr (morning) prayers in congregation, they would come to offer them even if they had to crawl.” [Al-Bukhari]

• Anas Bin Malik (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated, “The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said to attack the enemy at dawn. He would listen to the Adhan, so if he heard it, he would stop, otherwise he would charge. Once on hearing a man say: “Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest,” the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) remarked: “He is following al-Fitrah (Islam)”. He then heard them say: “I testify that there is no true god but Allah, there is no true god but Allah,”  The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “You have come out of fire (of Hell).” They looked and found that he was a shepherd.” [Sahih Muslim]

• Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “When the Adhan is pronounced, satan takes to his heels and passes wind to avoid hearing the Adhan. When the Adhan is over, he comes back, and again takes to his heels when the Iqamah is pronounced and after its completion, he returns to whisper into the heart of a person (to distract his attention from his prayer) and makes him remember things which he does not recall before until man forgets how many Rak’ahs he prayed.” [Sahih Muslim]

• ‘Uqbah bin ‘Aamir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that he heard Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) say: “Your Lord is much pleased with a shepherd standing at the head of a high mountain, pronouncing the Adhan and offering the Salat (prayer). Allah, the most High, says, ‘Look at my slave who pronounces the Adhan and establishes the Salat, he fears Me; I have forgiven the sins of My slave and admitted him into Paradise.’” [Sahih Hadith, authenticated by al-Albani in al-Silsilah al-Sahiha no.41]

Note: This Hadith emphasizes the obligation of pronouncing the Adhan on the individual.

2-The Merits of Mu’adhdhineen (Those who call for the prayer):

• Isa bin talhah said: I was with Mu’awiyah bin Abu Sufyan  (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) when the Mu’adhdhin came in and called for prayer. Mu’awiyah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) say: “The Mu’adhdhineen will have the longest necks on the Day of Resurrection.” [Sahih Muslim]

• Abu Sa’eid al-Khudri (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that he heard Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) say (as regards raising the voice in pronouncing the Adhan): “Whoever hears the Adhan, whether a human being, a jinn or any other creature, will b a witness for him on the Day of Resurrection.”

• The Prophet  (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “The Mu’adhdhin (the one who calls for the prayer) will be forgiven, as much as he raises his voice (with the Adhan), and everything fresh and dry that hears him will ask forgiveness for him (in another version will witness for him or attest for him).” [Ahmed, Abu Dawoud, at-Tabarani and authenticated by al-Albanin in Sahih at-Targhib wat-tarhib no 233 and 234]

• The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Paradise is affirmed for him who pronounces the Adhan, sixty Hasanah (good deed) will be written for him, and for every Iqamah, he will get thirty Hasanah.” [Sahih Hadith, reported by Ibn Majah, ad-Darul-Qutni, al-Hakim and authenticated by al-Albani in al-Silsilah al-Sahih no 42]

3-The merits of those who repeat what the Mu’adhdhin says:

• Narrated Abu Sa’eid al-Khudri : Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “Whenever you hear the Adhan, say what the Mu’adhdhin is saying.” [Sahih al-Bukhari, vlume 1, Book 11, Number 585]

• ‘Umar bin al-Khattab (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah said (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam): “When the Mu’adhdhin says,”Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest, Allah is the Greatest)’; and you say, ‘Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, and when he says, ‘Ash-hadu an laa ilah illa-Allah (I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah),’ you say, ‘Ash-hadu an laa illaha illa Allah, and when hes says, ‘Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasoolullah (I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah),’ you say, ‘Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasoolah’, and when he says, ‘Hayya ‘alas-Salat (Come to prayer).’ You say: ‘La hawla wala quwwata illa billah (there is neither might nor any power except by Allah),’ and when he says, ‘Hayya ‘alalfalah (Come to saluation)’, you say, ‘Laa hawla wala quwaata ila billah (there is neither might nor any power except by Allah),’ and when he says, ‘Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest),’ you say from your heart (with sincerity), ‘Laa ilaha illa Allah,’ you will enter Jannah (Paradise).” [Sahih Muslim]

• Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “We were with the Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam), when Bilal got up and called for the prayer. When he finished, Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “Whoever says (the same words) as he (the Mu’adhdhin) says with certainty, will enter paradise.” [An-Nisaa’i, Ibn Hibban in his Sahih and al-Hakim. Authenticated by al-Albani in Sahih at-Targhib wat-Tarhib no. 255]

• Sa’ad bin abu Waqqas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “He who says on hearing the Mu’adhdhin,

و أنا أشْهَدُ أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريكَ لهُ , و أن محمداً عبدُهُ ورسوله ، رضيت بالله رباً ، وبمحمد رسولاً ، وبالإسلام ديناً.

Wa ana Ash-Hadu an laa ilaha illa-Allahu wah-dahu laa shareeka lahu, wa ann Muhammadan ‘Abduhu wa Rasooluhu, Raditu billahi Rabban, wa bi Muhammad Rasoolan, wa bil-Islami Deenan.

‘And I too bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah Alone, without any partner, and that Muhammad is His   slave and Messenger. I am pleased with Allah as a Lord, and Muhammad as a Messenger and Islam as a religion,’ his sins would be forgiven.” [Sahih Muslim 1/288]

Note: It is Sunnah for the Muslim to say the aforementioned supplication once immediately after hearing the declaration of faith called by the Mu’adhdhin (i.e. after hearing the Mu’adhdhin say, “Ash-hadu an laa ilaha illa Allah, Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasoolullah”) [Tashih ad-Du’aa by Shaikh Bakr Abu Zaid pp.371]

• Narrated ‘Aisha (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) that whenever Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) heard the Mu’adhdhin saying the shahadah (Ash-hadu an laa ilaha illa Allah, Ash-hadu ana Muhammadar-Rasoolullah), he (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) used to say:

وَأنا وَأنا.

Wa ana, wa ana

And I, and I ( too testify that laa ilaha illa Allah, Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasoolullah)” [Reported by Abu Dawood, Ibn Hibban in his Sahih and al-Hakim. Shaikh al-Albani said it is Sahih Hadith in Sahih at-Targhib wat-Tarhib no. 258]

4- Supplication after the Adhan:

• ‘Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-‘Aas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that he heard the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) say: “When you hear the Muadhdhin, repeat what he says, invoke Allah’s Blessings and Mercies (Salat) on me, for he who invokes Allah’s blessings (Salat) on me once, Allah will send blessings upon him ten times. Then ask Allah to grant me the Wasilah, which is a rank in Jannah to be due to a single slave among the slaves of Allah, and I hope it will be me. He who asks allah to grant me the Wasilah, my Shafa’ah (intercession) becomes due to him.” [Sahih Muslim]

Note: It is desirable for a Muslim to send Salat ( i .e. invoke Allah’s blessings) upon the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) after answering the call if the Mu’adhdhin and ask Allah to grant him the Wasilah. Who ever does that, will attain his (the Prophet’s) intercession. The best form of the Salat upon Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) is what he taught his Ummah to say:

اللهم صلي على محمد وعلى آل محمد ، كما صليت على إبراهيم وعلى آل إبراهيم ، إنك حميدٌ مجيد، اللهم بارك على محمد وعلى آل محمدٍ، كما باركت على إبراهيم وعلى آل إبراهيم إنك حميدٌ مجيدٌ.

Allahumma Salli ‘Alaa Muhammadin wa ‘Alaa Aali Muhammad, Kama Sallaita ‘Alaa Ibrahim wa ‘Ala Aali Ibrahima, Innaha Hamidum-Majeed. Allahuma Baarik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘Ala Aali Muhammadin, Kama Barakta ‘Ala Ibrahima wa ‘Ala Aali Ibrahima, Innaka Hamidum-Majeed.

“O Allah! Send prayers on Muhammad, and on the family of Muhammad, as You sent Prayers on Ibrahim, and on the Family of Ibrahim; You are indeed Worthy of All-Praise, Full of Glory. O Allah! Send blessings on Muhammad, and on the family of Muhammad, as You have sent blessings on Ibrahim and on the family of Ibrahim; You are indeed Worthy of All-Praise, Full of Glory.” [Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim]

• Jabir bin ‘Abdullah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘Whoever after listening to the Adhan  says,

اللهم رب هذه الدعوة التامة والصلاة القائمة ،آت محمداً الوسيلة والفضيلة وابعثه مقاماً محموداً الذي وعدته.

Allahuma rubba hadhihid-da’wati-tammati, was-salatil-qa’immati, aati Muhammadanil wasilatala wal-Fadilata, wab’athu maqaman mahumudan-illadhi wa-adtahu.

‘O Allah! Lord of this perfect call (of not ascribing partners to You) and of the regular Salat (prayer) which is going to be established! Kindly give Muhammad the right of intercession and superiority and send him (on the Day of Judgement) to the best and the highest place in Paradise which you promised him.’ then intercession for me will be permitted for him on the Day of Resurrection.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

• Narrated ‘Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-‘Aas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) : “A man said: ‘O Allah’s Messenger, the Mu’adhdhin excel us ( .i.e have more merits and get more reward because of the excellence of the Adhan)’ The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said, ‘ Say (the same words) as they say, and when you come to the end, make a petition [ask Allah (Azza Wa Jall)] and that will be granted to you’” [Abu Dawood, an-Nisaa’i, Ibn Hibban in his Sahih, and authenticated by al-Albani in Sahih at-Targhib wat-Tarhib no. 256]

Note: One may invoke Allah (Azza Wa Jall) for himself with whatever he wishes for the good of this life and the hereafter, because this is one of the times at which the Dua’a (invocation) is responded.

5- The supplication made between the Adhan and the Iqamah:

• Anas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  “A supplication made between the Adhan and the Iqamah is not rejected.” [Abu Dawoud, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nisai and Ibn Hibban graded it Sahih (sound) and authenticated by al-albani in Sahih at-Targhib wat- Tarhib no. 265]

• Sahl ibn Sa’d (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “There are two times when the gates of heaven are opened, and few who make the supllication have it returned to them unanswered. They are at the time of the Adhan, and when standing in rows for fighting in the cause of Allah.”

• In another version Sahl bin Sa’d (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “Supplication at two times are never turned down (or said, “Are seldom turned down”), a supplication after the Adhan has been proclaimed, and a supplication during the batle combating the enemy.” [Abu Dawood, Ibn Khuzaimah, Ibn Hibban, al-Hakim and Malik, authenticated by al-Albani in Sahih at-Targhib wat-Tarhib no 266]

6-The Virtues of Iqamah:

• Narrated Jabir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “When the Iqamah is pronounced, the gates of the heavens are opened and the Dua’a (invocation) is granted.” [Ahmad and authenticated by al-Albani in Sahih at-Targhib wat-Tarhib no. 260]