Adhaan
Q. What is the meaning of Adhaan?
A. Adhaan literally means to call. In Sharee’ah, Adhaan means to call for the prayers in particular wordings.
Q. Is Adhaan a fard or sunnah?
A. It is sunnah, but much stress is laid on it as it reveals a special glory of Islam.
Q. For which prayers is Adhaan sunnah?
A. Only for the five fard prayers and for Friday prayers. Not required for any other prayer.
Q. At what time should Adhaan be given?
A. A little before every fard prayer. If given before the actual time, it must be repeated at the correct time.
Q. What is the mustahab method of delivering the Adhaan?
A. Seven preferred things:
- Face the Qiblah.
- Say Adhaan slowly and clearly.
- Put both index fingers in the ears.
- Call from a high place.
- Say Adhaan loudly.
- Turn face right for “Hayya ‘alas-salaah” and left for “Hayya ‘alal-falaah”.
- Say “As-salaatu khayrum-minan-nawm” twice in Fajr Adhaan.
Q. What is Iqaamah?
A. Repeating Adhaan just before starting fard prayers, adding “Qad qaamatis-salaah” twice after “Hayya ‘alal-falaah”.
Q. How is it to say Iqaamah?
A. Sunnah for fard prayers, not required for other prayers.
Q. Are Adhaan and Iqaamah sunnah for men and women both?
A. No, only for men.
Q. How to say Adhaan and Iqaamah without wuduu’?
A. Adhaan without wuduu’ is allowed but not habitual. Iqaamah without wuduu’ is makrooh.
Q. If one prays at home or travels, should he say Adhaan and Iqaamah?
A. At home: Adhaan & Iqaamah in the neighboring masjid is enough, but better to say them. During travel: both should be said; omitting both is makrooh.
Q. How much time should pass between Adhaan and Iqaamah?
A. All prayers except Maghrib: wait until people finish eating/bathing. Maghrib: time equal to reciting three aayaat.
Q. What is Ijaabat for Adhaan and Iqaamah?
A. Mustahab. Repeat the words as Mu’adh-dhin or Mukabbir says. Include “There is no power and no strength except with Allah” and specific phrases for Fajr and Iqaamah.
Q. What prayer should be read after Adhaan?
A. Recite the du’aa praising Allah and asking for the intercession of Muhammad (saw) on the Day of Judgment.