In Arabic, the word ‘Athaan’ is
to call or to inform. Religionsly, it is a call made to inform people that the
time of the prayer has begun. It is obligatory for the congregation in the
mosque while for individuals praying alone at home, for example, it is a highly
preferred act. It begins by proclaiming the greatness and oneness of Allaah and
the denial of disbelief and polytheism, testifying to the messengership of
Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) and then
calling to a prosperity which is everlasting, pointing to the return to Allaah.
The ‘Iqaamah’ is the second and final Call to Prayer and is uttered immediately
before the beginning of the obligatory prayer indicating that it is actually
time to perform the prayer.
Its Story
The ‘Athaan’ was made part of ‘sharee’ah’ (Islamic jurisprudence) during the
first year of the Muslims’ migration to Madeenah. Before its legislation,
Muslims used to agree about fixed times for congregational prayers. Even still,
they sometimes found it difficult to remember the exact timings.
One day, The Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah
exalt his mention ) and the Muslims discussed the matter of calling the people
to prayer at the exact time. Some suggested the use of a bell like the
Christians, others suggested the use of a horn like the Jews, but ‘Umar may
Allaah be pleased with him suggested sending someone to announce the prayer.
Then Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his
mention ) agreed to use a bell, but he was not happy to use it because of its
similarity with the Christians.
After the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention )
had ordered a bell to be made so that it could be struck to gather the people to
Prayer, a companion, Abdullaah Ibn Zayd Ibn Abd Rabbih may Allaah be pleased
with him said: "I was sleeping when I saw a man carrying a bell in his hands,
and I said: "Slave of Allaah, will you sell this to me?" When he asked what I
would do with it? I replied that we would use it to call the people to Prayer.
He said: "Shall I not guide you to something better than that?" I replied:
"Certainly," he told me to say the ‘Athaan’ (and he told me its wording).
When I told Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt
his mention ) in the morning what I had seen, he sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam (
may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "It is a true vision, ‘Inshaa’Allaah’, so
get up along with Bilaal, and when you have taught him what you have seen, let
him use it in making the call to Prayer, for he has a stronger voice than you."
So, I got up along with Bilaal and began to teach it to him, and he used it in
making the call to Prayer.
‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab may Allaah be pleased with him heard this when he was in
his house, and came out trailing his cloak and said: "Allaah's Messenger, by Him
Who has sent you with the truth, I have seen the same thing (during sleep) as
has been said." To this Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may
Allaah exalt his mention ) replied: ‘Praise be to Allaah!’" [Ahmad, At-Tirmithi]
Its Excellence and virtues
Many Prophetic narrations describe the virtues of the ‘Athaan’ and the one who
calls it. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his
mention ) said: “If the people knew what was in the ‘Athaan’ (of virtues and
rewards) and the first row (i.e. the first line in congregational prayer), and
that they could not get it except by drawing lots, they would draw lots…” [Al-Bukhaari]
The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) also
said: “Your Lord, the Exalted, says: “Look at my slave there who makes the call
to Prayer and establishes the Prayer out of fear of Me. I have forgiven My slave
and have allowed him to enter Paradise.” [Ahmad, Abu Daawood and An-Nasaa’i]
The Text of the ‘Athaan and ‘Iqaamah
The text of the ‘Athaan’:
Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar,
Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar.
Ashhadu allaa ilaaha illallaah,
Ashhadu allaa ilaaha illallaah.
Ashhadu anna Muhammadar-rasoolullaah,
Ashhadu anna Muhammadar-rasoolullaah.
Hayya ‘alas-salaah,
Hayya ‘alas-salaah.
Hayya ‘alal-falaah,
Hayya ‘alal-falaah.
Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar.
La ilaaha illallaaah.
(Allaah is the greatest, Allaah is the greatest.
Allaah is the greatest, Allaah is the greatest.
I bear witness that there is no deity (worthy of worship) but Allaah.
I bear witness that there is no deity (worthy of worship) but Allaah.
I bear witness that Muhammad is Allaah's Messenger.
I bear witness that Muhammad is Allaah's Messenger.
Come to the prayer, Come to the prayer.
Come to prosperity, Come to prosperity.
Allaah is the greatest, Allaah is the greatest.
There is no deity (worthy of worship) but Allaah.)
The text of ‘Iqaamah’:
Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar,
Ashhadu allaa ilaaha illallaah,
Ashhadu anna Muhammadar-rasoolullaah,
Hayya ‘alas-salaah,
Hayya ‘alal-falaah,
Qad qaamatis-salaah, qad qaamatis-salaah
Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar.
La ilaaha illallaah.
(Allaah is the greatest, Allaah is the greatest.
I bear witness that there is no deity (worthy of worship) but Allaah
I bear witness that Muhammad is Allaah's Messenger.
Come to the prayer, come to prosperity.
Prayer is to begin, prayer is to begin.
Allaah is the greatest, Allaah is the greatest.
There is no deity (worthy of worship) but Allaah.)
As for At-Tathweeb (Saying “Prayer is better than sleep”), it is part of the
morning ‘Athaan’ to say twice, ‘as-salaatu khayrun minan-nawm (prayer is better
than sleep) after Hayya ‘alal-falaah, Hayya ‘alal-falaah.
What the Listener says during ‘Athaan’ and ‘Iqaamah
It is preferred that whoever is listening to the ‘Athaan’ should repeat it with
the caller saying his exact words, except for the two “hayya ‘alas-salaah, hayya
‘alal-falaah” phrases, after which he should say instead “laa hawla wa laa
quwwata illaa billaah” (there is no power or might save with Allaah.)
Everyone who hears the call can repeat it, whether clean or unclean, in a state
of post-sexual uncleanliness or menstruating and so on, as it is a remembrance (Thikr).
Those who can not do so are the ones who are praying, who are relieving
themselves, or are having sexual intercourse.
As for the ‘Iqaamah’, it is preferred that the one who hears it repeats the
words, except “qad qaamatis-salaah.”
Supplications after ‘Athaan
The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said:
“Supplications (offered) in between the (two) calls for prayer (i.e. Athaan and
Iqaamah) will never be rejected." The companions may Allaah be pleased with them
said: "O Prophet of Allaah! What should we say?" He sallallaahu `alayhi wa
sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "Ask Allaah the Almighty, to grant
pardon (and good health) in both this life and the hereafter."
Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention
) said: “Any person who, on hearing the Athaan, supplicates: “Allaahumma rabba
haathihid-da‘watit-taammati was-salaatil-qaa’imati, aati Muhammadan al-waseelata
wal-fadheelata wab‘ath-hu maqaaman mahmudanal-lathee wa‘adtahu. (‘O Allaah! Lord
of this complete prayer of ours. By the blessing of it, give Muhammad (
sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention )), his eternal
rights of intercession, distinction and highest class (in Paradise). And raise
him to the promised rank You have promised him,’ then he will assured of my
intercession on the Day of Judgement.)” [Al-Bukhaari]
Source:
https://www.kidsxone.com/islamic-stuff/islam-for-kids/729-the-call-to-prayer-athan-and-iqamah