Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri told my father, "I see you liking sheep and the wilderness. So whenever you are with your sheep or in the wilderness and you want to pronounce Adhan for the prayer raise your voice in doing so, for whoever hears the Adhan, whether a human being, a jinn or any other creature, will be a witness for you on the Day of Resurrection." Abu Sa`id added, "I heard it (this narration) from Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)."
The Virtue of Pronouncing Adhan Loudly
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 609 demonstrates the immense spiritual merit of calling the Adhan with a raised voice, particularly in open areas and wilderness. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) through Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri emphasizes that every creature hearing the call to prayer becomes a witness for the caller on Judgment Day.
Scholarly Commentary on the Witnesses
Classical scholars explain that the "witnesses" mentioned include humans, jinn, and other creatures within hearing range. This encompasses angels, animals, and even inanimate objects that resonate with the remembrance of Allah. Their testimony on the Day of Resurrection will affirm the caller's devotion and propagation of Islamic worship.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Fath al-Bari notes that this hadith encourages Muslims to make their presence known as worshippers of Allah in all environments, transforming wilderness into places of divine remembrance.
Practical Implementation
Scholars derive from this that one should raise their voice appropriately when giving Adhan, ensuring it reaches potential listeners without causing harm or disturbance. This applies particularly to those in rural areas, farms, or deserts where the sound carries far.
The ruling applies to both the obligatory prayers and optional prayers where Adhan is recommended, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of this divine invitation.
Spiritual Dimensions
This tradition reveals the cosmic impact of the Adhan - it sanctifies space and time, and engages the entire creation in the worship of Allah. The witnesses will testify not merely to the physical act of calling, but to the spiritual reality it represents: the continuous proclamation of Allah's oneness throughout the earth.