Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "When the Adhan is pronounced Satan takes to his heels and passes wind with noise during his flight in order not to hear the Adhan. When the Adhan is completed he comes back and again takes to his heels when the Iqama is pronounced and after its completion he returns again till he whispers into the heart of the person (to divert his attention from his prayer) and makes him remember things which he does not recall to his mind before the prayer and that causes him to forget how much he has prayed."
The Flight of Satan at the Call to Prayer
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (608) reveals profound spiritual realities concerning the Adhaan. When the call to prayer is proclaimed, Satan flees with such haste that he breaks wind loudly to avoid hearing the sacred words. This demonstrates the immense spiritual power and sanctity of the Adhaan, which forces the accursed one to retreat from the vicinity of divine remembrance.
The Wisdom Behind Satan's Retreat and Return
The scholars explain that Satan's flight occurs because the Adhaan contains declarations of Allah's greatness, the testimony of faith, and the call to success and prayer - all of which are antithetical to Satan's mission of misguidance.
His return after the Adhaan and second flight at the Iqamah shows that his enmity is persistent, but the prescribed acts of worship create protected intervals where believers can worship undisturbed.
The Subtle Whisperings During Prayer
The Prophet's description of Satan whispering distracting thoughts (waswas) during prayer reveals a crucial spiritual battle. Scholars note that these whispers are most potent when one stands before Allah, as Satan seeks to nullify the prayer's concentration and devotion.
The solution prescribed by scholars is to seek refuge in Allah from Satan and to gently return one's focus to the prayer without excessive concern over these natural distractions, for struggling against them is itself an act of worship.
Practical Guidance for the Worshipper
This hadith teaches us to value the Adhaan greatly and respond to it promptly, recognizing it as a divinely ordained protection against evil influences.
When experiencing distractions in prayer, one should understand this as a normal spiritual test and persist in worship, for the reward is with those who struggle against these whisperings while maintaining their devotion to Allah.