Book 2, Hadith 56

Overview & Central Theme

This hadith, recorded in Bulugh al-Maram under The Book of Prayer, addresses the believer's response upon hearing the mu'adhdhin's call to prayer, specifically at the phrases "Hayya 'alas-Salah, Hayya 'alal-Falah" (Come to prayer, come to success). The central theme is the cultivation of tawakkul (reliance on Allah) and the recognition of human limitation. When summoned to the greatest act of worship and eternal success, the believer acknowledges that true ability to respond and achieve success lies solely with Allah. This response transforms the call to prayer into a moment of profound spiritual reflection, affirming that all power, movement, and accomplishment originate from Allah's will and grace.

Context & Linguistic Insights

The hadith is reported by Imam Muslim and others, with the context being the instruction of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to his companions on how to respond to the adhan. The phrase "Hayya" is a verbal noun meaning "come" or "hasten," and "alas-Salah" means "to the prayer," while "alal-Falah" means "to success" or "prosperity." The response "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah" is linguistically rich: "hawla" denotes the ability to change or move from one state to another, and "quwwata" signifies strength or power. Together, the phrase negates any inherent human capacity for change or strength, affirming that all such capability is granted by Allah alone. Scholars note that this response is uniquely prescribed for these two phrases, unlike the other parts of the adhan which are repeated verbatim, highlighting the special recognition of human helplessness in achieving true success without divine assistance.

Key Scholarly Insights & Legal Benefits

• The response to "Hayya 'alas-Salah" and "Hayya 'alal-Falah" is to say "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah," as established by authentic narrations, and this is the consensus of the majority of scholars (jumhur) including the four schools of jurisprudence.
• This phrase is a profound declaration of tawhid (monotheism), acknowledging that all power belongs to Allah, and it serves as a spiritual preparation for the prayer, emptying the heart of self-reliance and filling it with humility before Allah.
• Jurisprudentially, this response is a Sunnah (recommended act) for the listener of the adhan, whether in the mosque or elsewhere, and it does not invalidate the response to the adhan if omitted, but its inclusion brings immense reward and spiritual benefit.

"The servant is commanded to say this phrase upon hearing the call to prayer because it is a recognition that the ability to answer the call to prayer and to attain success (falah) is entirely from Allah, and this is the essence of servitude." — Imam An-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim

Daily Life & Spiritual Application

In daily life, this hadith teaches the believer to approach every call to prayer with a conscious awareness of their dependence on Allah. When the adhan is heard, one should pause, silence worldly distractions, and respond with this phrase, allowing it to reorient the heart toward humility and reliance on Allah. Practically, this means that when we feel weak, unable to pray, or overwhelmed by life's demands, we should repeat "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah" as a reminder that Allah provides the strength to worship and to succeed. This phrase becomes a spiritual anchor, transforming the adhan from a mere announcement into a moment of intimate dialogue with Allah, reinforcing the believer's commitment to prayer and the pursuit of true success—not in worldly terms, but in the eternal falah of the Hereafter. By internalizing this teaching, the Muslim cultivates a mindset of gratitude, humility, and unwavering trust in Allah's power, which permeates all aspects of life.