The Command Regarding Adhan and Iqamah

This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (605) establishes the foundational practice of the call to prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) commanded Bilal ibn Rabah, the first mu'adhdhin of Islam, to deliver the Adhan with each phrase recited twice. This repetition ensures the call reaches a wider audience and emphasizes the importance of the announcement.

Scholarly Commentary on the Wording

The instruction to say the Iqamah (the second call signaling the prayer's commencement) only once demonstrates a distinction between the two calls. The Adhan is a public proclamation to the community, hence its repetition. The Iqamah is for those already present in the mosque, so a single recitation suffices.

The exception, "Qad qamat-is-Salat" (Prayer has indeed been established), is to be said twice even in the Iqamah. Scholars like Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explain that this specific phrase is repeated to provide a clear, emphatic final signal that the congregational prayer is beginning, leaving no doubt for the worshippers.

Wisdom and Significance

This hadith from the book "Call to Prayers (Adhaan)" illustrates the divine wisdom in Islamic legislation. The different formats for the Adhan and Iqamah serve distinct purposes: one for summoning and the other for immediate preparation. This practice has been preserved and followed by the Muslim Ummah since the time of the Prophet, creating a unifying tradition across the globe.