Introduction: The Call That Moves Hearts
For over 1,400 years, the adhan, the Islamic call to prayer, has echoed through cities, villages, and mosques worldwide. For Muslims, it is more than a reminder of prayer times. It is a call to success, a declaration of faith, and a unifying voice that connects believers wherever they are.
Alongside adhan is the iqamah, the shorter call announcing that the prayer is about to begin. Adhan and iqamah are markers of time, discipline, and unity in worship. Embracing Sunnah prayers can transform mundane moments into opportunities for spiritual growth, allowing believers to reconnect with their faith amidst daily distractions. By incorporating these prayers into our routines, we enhance our personal relationship with Allah and inspire those around us to deepen their own practice of faith.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“When the call to prayer is made, the shaytan turns and runs away…” (Bukhari, Muslim)
This shows the spiritual power of adhan and its role in pushing away distractions and negativity.
What Is the Adhan?
The word adhan means “announcement” or “call.” It was introduced during the Prophet’s time in Madinah, when Muslims needed a way to gather people for salah. After consultation, the adhan was chosen as a beautiful, audible reminder for prayer.
The Words of Adhan
· Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) – repeated four times
· Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah (I bear witness there is no god but Allah) – twice
· Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah) – twice
· Hayya ‘ala-s-salah (Come to prayer) – twice
· Hayya ‘ala-l-falah (Come to success) – twice
· Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) – twice
· La ilaha illallah (There is no god but Allah) – once
Each phrase is simple, yet it summarizes the essence of Islam: Allah’s greatness, the finality of prophethood, and the path to prayer and success.
The Significance of Adhan
A Declaration of Tawheed
Every adhan begins with affirming Allah’s greatness and oneness. It is a public reminder that faith comes first, above all worldly concerns.
A Call to Success
“Hayya ‘ala-l-falah”, Come to success. This reminds Muslims that true success is not in wealth or status but in responding to Allah’s call.
A Source of Protection
The Prophet ﷺ taught that shaytan flees when the adhan is called. This means adhan purifies spaces and hearts, pushing away evil whispers.
What Is the Iqamah?
The iqamah is a shorter call, given just before salah begins in congregation. Its words are similar to adhan, but slightly quicker, ending with “Qad qamatis-salah”, “The prayer has been established.”
This phrase signals readiness: the rows are straight, the imam is present, and worshippers are about to begin.
Why Muslims Respond to the Adhan with Specific Words
When a Muslim hears the adhan, it is Sunnah to repeat the caller’s words, except when he says “Hayya ‘ala-s-salah” and “Hayya ‘ala-l-falah,” to which the response is “La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah” — There is no power and no strength except with Allah. This response reflects humility, admitting that only Allah can give the strength to pray and succeed. It transforms listening to adhan into an act of worship in itself.
The Prophet ﷺ on Adhan and Iqamah
The Prophet ﷺ emphasized the importance of both. He said:
“Whoever hears the adhan and does not come to the prayer, there is no prayer for him except with an excuse.” (Ibn Majah)
He also said:
“If people knew what was in the adhan and the first row [of prayer], and had no other way to get it except by drawing lots, they would draw lots for it.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
This shows the high reward of calling adhan and being present when iqamah is made.
Spiritual and Social Benefits of Adhan and Iqamah
· Spiritual Reminder: They reconnect the believer to Allah throughout the day.
· Unity in Community: Muslims gather together as equals when they hear the same call.
· Discipline: Fixed times encourage structure and consistency.
· Hope and Peace: The sound of adhan brings comfort even in hardship, reminding Muslims that Allah is always near.
Adhan in Daily Life
Even when far from a mosque, Muslims can still experience the spirit of adhan. Apps and recordings bring the call to prayer into homes and workplaces. Some families designate someone to give adhan at home, especially when praying in congregation, reviving the Sunnah.
Modern Reflection: Adhan in a Global World
Today, adhan echoes across major cities, broadcast on TV, radio, and online. In places where Muslims are a minority, hearing adhan can be emotional, reconnecting them to the ummah. In Muslim-majority lands, it structures entire societies, pausing business, schools, and life itself for worship.
In a noisy world of constant notifications, adhan is the most meaningful reminder: success lies in prayer, not endless scrolling or busyness.
Reflection for the Reader
Ask yourself:
1. Do I pause and reflect when I hear the adhan or treat it like background noise?
2. How can I bring more presence into my response to the iqamah?
3. Could I revive the Sunnah of giving adhan at home with my family?
4. When I hear “Hayya ‘ala-l-falah,” do I truly believe that real success lies in salah, or am I still chasing worldly success instead?
A Journey Shared in My Book
In prison, where walls blocked the sound of mosques, I often missed hearing the adhan. When I was able to call it myself before prayer, it filled me with hope and reminded me that Islam survives anywhere.
Embrace the Power of Adhan: Strengthen Your Daily Connection to Salah
In Practicing Islam in Prison and Society, I share how even calling adhan gave me strength and unity in hardship. If you want to deepen your connection to salah, reflect on the meaning of adhan and iqamah, and let them guide your daily life.