The Book of Prayers

كتاب الصلاة

Chapter 1: The Beginning Of The Adhan

Ibn Umar reported

When the Muslims came to Medina, they gathered and sought to know the time of prayer but no one summoned them. One day they discussed the matter, and some of them said: Use something like the bell of the Christians and some of them said: Use horn like that of the Jews. Umar said: Why may not a be appointed who should call (people) to prayer? The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: O Bilal, get up and summon (the people) to prayer.

Chapter 2: The Command to say the phrases of the Adhan twice and the phrases of the iqamah once, except the phrase, "Prayer is about to begin," which is to be said twice

Anas reported

Bilal was commanded (by the Messenger of Allah) to repeat (the phrases of) Adhan twice and once in Iqama. The narrator said: I made a mention of it before Ayyub who said: Except for saying: Qamat-is-Salat [the time for prayer has come].

Anas b. Malik reported

They (the Companions) discussed that they should know the timings of prayer by means of something recognized by all. Some of them said that fire should be lighted or a bell should be rung. But Bilal was ordered to repeat the phrases twice in Adhan, and once in Iqama.

This hadith is transmitted by Khalid Hadhdha with the same chain of transmitters (and the words are)

When the majority of the people discussed they should know, like the hadith narrated by al-Thaqafi (mentioned above) except for the words:" They (the people) should kindle fire."

Anas reported

Bilal was commanded (by the Holy Prophet) to repeat the phrases twice in Adhan, and once in lqama.

Chapter 3: Description Of The Adhan

Abu Mahdhura said that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught him Adhan like this

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest; I testify that there is no god but Allah, I testify that there is no god but Allah; I testify that Muhammad Is the Messenger of Allah, I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and it should be again repeated: I testify that there is no god but Allah, I testify that there is no god but Allah; I testify that Muhammad Is the Messenger of Allah, I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Come to the prayer (twice). Come to success (twice). Ishaq added: Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest; there Is no god but Allah.

Chapter 4: It Is Recommended To Have Two Mu'adhdhin In A Single Masjid

Ibn Umar reported

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had two Mu'adhdhins, Bilal and 'Abdullah b. Umm Maktum, who (latter) was blind.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of 'A'isha by another chain of transmitters.

Chapter 5: It Is Permissible For A Blind Man To Call The Adhan So long As There Is A Man With Him Who Sees

A'isha reported

Ibn Umm Maktum used to pronounce Adhan at the behest of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) (despite the fact) that he was blind.

A hadith like this has been transmitted by Hisham.

Chapter 6: Refraining From Attacking People In Dar Al-Kufr (Non-Muslim Lands) If The Adhan Is Heard Among Them

Anas b. Malik reported

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to attack the enemy when it was dawn. He would listen to the Adhan; so if he heard an Adhan, he stopped, otherwise made an attack. Once on hearing a man say: Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) remarked: He is following al-Fitra (al-Islam). Then hearing him say: I testify that there is no god but Allah. there is no god but Allah, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: You have come out of the Fire (of Hell). They looked at him and found that he was a goat herd.

Chapter 7: It Is Recommended For The One Who Hears The Mu'adhdhin To Repeat His Words, Then To Send Salat Upon The Prophet (saws) And Ask Allah To Grant Him Al-Wasilah

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported

When you hear the call (to prayer), repeat what the Mu'adhdhin pronounces.

'Abdullah b. Amr b. al-As reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying

When you hear the Mu'adhdhin, repeat what he says, then invoke a blessing on me, for everyone who invokes a blessing on me will receive ten blessings from Allah; then beg from Allah al-Wasila for me, which is a rank in Paradise fitting for only one of Allah's servants, and I hope that I may be that one. If anyone who asks that I be given the Wasila, he will be assured of my intercession.

'Umar b. al-Khattab reported

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: When the Mu'adhdhin says: Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and one of you should make this response: Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest; (and when the Mu'adhdhin) says: I testify that there is no god but Allah, one should respond: I testify that there is no god but Allah, and when he says: I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, one should make a response: I testify that Muhammad is Allah's Messenger. When he (the Mu'adhdhin) says: Come to prayer, one should make a response: There is no might and no power except with Allah. When he (the Mu'adhdhin) says: Come to salvation, one should respond: There is no might and no power except with Allah, and when he (the Mu'adhdhin) says: Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, then make a response: Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. When he (the Mu'adhdhin) says: There is no god but Allah, and he who makes a re- sponse from the heart: There is no god but Allah, he will enter Paradise.

Sa'd b. Abu Waqqas reported

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: If anyone says on hearing the Mu'adhdhin: I testify that there is no god but Allah alone. Who has no partner, and that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger, (and that) I am satisfied with Allah as my Lord, with Muhammad as Messenger. and with Islam as din (code of life), his sins would be forgiven. In the narration transmitted by Ibn Rumh the words are:" He who said on hearing the Mu'adhdhin and verity I testify." ' Qutaiba has not mentioned his words:" And I."

Chapter 8: The Virtue Of the Adhan, And The Shaitan Flees When He Hears It

Yahya narrated it on the authority of his uncle that he had been sitting in the company of Mu'awiya b. Abu Sufyan when the Mu'adhdhin called (Muslims) to prayer. Mu'awiya said

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying The Mu'adhdhins will have the longest necks on the Day of Resurrection.

Abu Sufyan reported it on the authority of Jabir that he had heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say

When Satan hears the call to prayer, he runs away to a distance like that of Rauha. Sulaimin said: I asked him about Rauha. He replied: It is at a distance of thirty-six miles from Medina.

Abu Mu'awiya narrated it on the authority of A'mash with the same chain of transmitters.

Abu Huraira reported the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying

When Satan hears the call to prayer, he turns back and breaks the wind so as not to hear the call being made, but when the call is finished he turns round and distracts (the minds of those who pray), and when he hears the Iqama, he again runs away so as not to hear its voice and when it subsides, he comes back and distracts (the minds of those who stand for prayer).