Azan and the Words That Follow

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Azan is the Islamic call to prayer. It is an Arabic word which linguistically means an announcement. It is recited five times a day to inform Muslims of the five obligatory (fardhu) prayer times.

In early Islamic history, when the call to prayer was yet to be introduced, the companions discussed with one another on how to know the time of prayer.

Abdullah Bin Zaid r.a. saw in his dream that the azan was made. He then told the Prophet s.a.w. about his dream of a man telling him the recitation of the call to prayer. The Prophet s.a.w. replied:

“It is a true dream (vision) God willing, proceed with Bilal and inform him what you saw and let him call it (the Azan), for he has a better voice than you” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

Umar Al-Khattab r.a. also had the same dream. The Prophet s.a.w. then ordered Bilal r.a. to recite and pronounce the call to prayer. Ibn Umar r.a. also narrates to us the event:

When the Muslims arrived at Madinah, They would assemble for the prayer by guessing the time for it because there wasn’t a specific call to announce the prayer time. They then discussed this matter. Some people suggested the use of a bell like the Christians, others proposed a trumpet like the horn used by the Jews. Umar r.a. suggest that a man should call (the people) for the prayer; so Allah’s Messenger s.a.w. ordered: “O Bilal get up and announce the Azan for prayer.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

The Azan (Call to Prayer)

Benefits of Dua after the Azan

Reciting Dua after the Azan has many benefits. Its merits are as follows:

1) Receiving the Syafaah (intercession) of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

Jabir bin ‘Abdullah r.a. narrated that whoever recites this prayer after which the Azan is heard, Allah’s Messenger s.a.w. said: “He will receive my intercession on the Day of Resurrection” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

2) Our Dua is accepted

Verily, Allah s.w.t. hears every prayer. However, there are several factors that may cause our Dua to be rejected such as insincerity, arrogance or any other unseen shortcomings. This calls us to seek the encouraged time and intentions to pray as taught by the Prophet and his righteous followers. This includes making a Dua after the Azan.

“The supplication made between the adhan and the iqamah is not rejected.”(Sunan Abi Daud)

Dua after Azan

Other Dua to be read upon hearing the Azan

1. Answer the Azan

By reciting the very same words of the Muazzin, we are answering the Azan (call to prayer). This recitation is meant to be read during the Azan and not after the Azan itself. The Prophet s.a.w. mentioned in a hadith: “When you hear the Muazzin, repeat what he says..”V(Sahih Muslim)

2. Recite the Salawat upon the Prophet s.a.w

Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad  wa-’ala ali Muhammad

Scholars have encouraged us to recite the salawat after the Azan based on the following hadith:

“When you hear the Muazzin, repeat what he says; then invoke the selawat upon me, for everyone who invokes a selawat upon me will receive ten blessings from Allah; then ask Allah to grant al-Wasila (the right to give intercession) for me, which is a rank in Paradise fitting for only one of Allah’s servants, and I hope that I may be the one. For whoever asks that I be given the al-Wasila, he will be assured to be given of my Syafaah (intercession).”(Sahih Muslim)

3. Recite sincere Dua

What is meant here is to recite any Dua in general. A person may ask Allah s.w.t. from his deepest hearts for the betterment of both this world and the next, such as asking for wellbeing, protection and forgiveness for ourselves and our parents.

In addition to that, this is also considered to be one of the blessed times for a Dua to be made. Allah’s Messenger s.a.w. said: “The supplication made between the azan and the iqamah is not rejected.” (Sunan Abi Daud)

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