AZAN - CALL FOR PRAYER

CALL FOR PRAYER (AZAN)

Q.   What do we mean by the term Azan?

  The word “Azan” means to proclaim. In Shari’ah Azan means making proclamation about particular Salat in particular terms.

Q.   Is Azan a command or the Prophet’s precept?

  Azan is the Prophet’s precept. But since it has come to signify the glory of Islam, it is much stressed upon.

Q.   For what Salat is Azan, the Prophet’s precept?

  Azan is the Prophet’s precept for all the five commanded Salat of the day plus the one for Jum’ah. It is not so for other Salat.

Q.   At what time should Azan be proclaimed?

  Azan should be proclaimed on time for every Fard Salat. It must be called again if it has been said before time.

Q.   What is the mustahab way of Azan?

  There are seven mustahab (desirable) acts in Azan:

             i.     To face the Qiblah;

           ii.     To say each part of it slowly and distinctly;

         iii.     To put the first fingers of both hands into one’s ears while saying the Azan;

          iv.     To say it from a raised place;

            v.     To call it in a loud voice;

          vi.     To turn the face to the right while pronouncing HAY-YA ‘ALAS-SALAH and to the left, while saying HAY-YA ‘ALAL-FALAH

        vii.     To proclaim AS-SALATU KHAIRUM-MINAN-NAUM twice after in the Azan of Fajr.

Q.   What does Iqamah (standing) mean?

  The formula for the Azan is also repeated before the Fard Salat, but the words QAD-QAMATIS-SALAH are also repeated twice in Iqamah after HAY-YA ‘ALAL-FALAH.

Q.   How is it to proclaim Iqamah?

  Iqamah too is Prophet’s precept for Fard Salat. It is not so for the other Salats.

Q.   Are Azan and Iqamah masnun both for men and women?

  No, it is masnun only for men.

Q.   How is it to say the Azan or Iqamah without making ablution?

  It is allowed to call the Azan without ablution, but to form a habit of it is bad. To say the Iqamah without ablution is undesirable.

Q.   Must a person say the Azan and Iqamah while offering the Fard Salat at home?

  The Azan and the Iqamah said in the neighbouring mosque will suffice. But it is better to say it there also.

Q.   Must a person on journey say the Azan and Iqamah?

  Yes, if one is on journey and out of a populated area, both Azan and Iqamah should be said. But there is no harm if he says only the Iqamah and no Azan. It is undesirable to give up both.

Q.   Is it allowed that two different persons say the Azan and the Iqamah?

  Yes, it is allowed if the person who has said the Azan is not present or if present has no objection to the other person’s calling the Iqamah. If however, another man’s calling causes unhappiness to the former it would be undesirable.

Q.   How long should we wait for the Iqamah after the Azan?

  In all Salats except Maghrib prayer the interval should be sufficient to allow people engaged in eating meals etc., or satisfying nature’s call to be free from these acts and join the prayers. In Maghrib, the interval should be just sufficient for one to repeat three verses (Ayahs) from the Holy Qur-an.

Q.   What do we mean by the Ijabah of Azan and Iqamah and what is its position in Shari’ah?

  Responding to both Azan and Iqamah is desirable. Responding means repeating the words being proclaimed by the person calling the Azan or the Iqamah. But the words HAY-YA ‘ALAS-SALAH and HAY-YA ‘ALAL-FALAH shall be responded to by the words :

LA HAULA WALA QUW-WATA ILLA BIL-LAH

In the Azan for Fajr, on hearing AS-SALATU KHAIRUM-MINAN-NAUM we should say :

SADAQTA WA BARARTA

And in Iqamah :

AQAMAHAL-LAHU WA ADAMAHA

      should be the response to QAD QAMATIS-SALAH.

Q.   What formula (invocation) should be said after the Azan?

  The formula to be chanted is as follows:

AL-LAHUM-MA RAB-BA HAZIHID-DA’WATIT-TAM-MATI WAS-SALATIL-QA-IMATI ATI MUHAM-MADANIL-WASILATA WAL-FADILATA WAB’ATHU MAQAMAM-MAHMUDANIL-LAZI WA’ AT-TAHU IN-NAKALA TUKHLIFUL MI’AD.