Before Salah / Namaz
Adhan and Iqamah
The Adhan is the call to Salah, and the Iqamah is the announcement that the prayer is about to begin. This guide explains the words, manners, duas, virtues, and what a Muslim should do when the Adhan is called.
What is the Adhan?
The Adhan is the public call that announces the time of Salah. It reminds people of Tawheed, the message of the Prophet ﷺ, and the call to prayer and success.
What is the Iqamah?
The Iqamah is called just before the congregational prayer begins. It tells the people that the Salah is now standing and they should form the rows.
The Adhan in the Qur’an
The Qur’an mentions the call to prayer, especially for Jumu‘ah, and teaches that the call to Salah should be respected.
- Leave business when the Friday call is made. Allah commands the believers that when the call is made for Jumu‘ah prayer, they should proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. Qur’an: Surah Al-Jumu‘ah, 62:9
- Do not treat the call to prayer lightly. The Qur’an mentions people who mocked the call to prayer. This teaches Muslims to respect the Adhan and respond to it with seriousness. Qur’an: Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:58
Words of the Adhan
These are the standard words of the Adhan. For Fajr, one extra phrase is added after “Hayya ‘alal-falah.”
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ
أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ
حَيَّ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ
حَيَّ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ
حَيَّ عَلَى الْفَلَاحِ
حَيَّ عَلَى الْفَلَاحِ
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ
أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ
حَيَّ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ
حَيَّ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ
حَيَّ عَلَى الْفَلَاحِ
حَيَّ عَلَى الْفَلَاحِ
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
Transliteration:
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah.
Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah.
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah.
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah.
Hayya ‘alas-salah.
Hayya ‘alas-salah.
Hayya ‘alal-falah.
Hayya ‘alal-falah.
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
La ilaha illallah.
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah.
Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah.
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah.
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah.
Hayya ‘alas-salah.
Hayya ‘alas-salah.
Hayya ‘alal-falah.
Hayya ‘alal-falah.
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
La ilaha illallah.
Meaning: Allah is the Greatest. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah. I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Come to prayer. Come to success. Allah is the Greatest. None has the right to be worshipped except Allah.
Hadith: Sunan Ibn Majah 706
Fajr addition: In the Fajr Adhan, after “Hayya ‘alal-falah,” the caller says twice: As-salatu khayrum minan-nawm, meaning: Prayer is better than sleep.
Words of the Iqamah
The Iqamah is shorter than the Adhan and includes the phrase “Qad qamatis-salah,” meaning: the prayer has been established. The wording may be recited slightly differently in some communities, but the meaning is the same: the prayer is now about to begin.
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ
حَيَّ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ
حَيَّ عَلَى الْفَلَاحِ
قَدْ قَامَتِ الصَّلَاةُ
قَدْ قَامَتِ الصَّلَاةُ
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ
حَيَّ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ
حَيَّ عَلَى الْفَلَاحِ
قَدْ قَامَتِ الصَّلَاةُ
قَدْ قَامَتِ الصَّلَاةُ
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
Transliteration:
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah.
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah.
Hayya ‘alas-salah.
Hayya ‘alal-falah.
Qad qamatis-salah.
Qad qamatis-salah.
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
La ilaha illallah.
Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 605; Sahih Muslim 378
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah.
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah.
Hayya ‘alas-salah.
Hayya ‘alal-falah.
Qad qamatis-salah.
Qad qamatis-salah.
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
La ilaha illallah.
Types and Times of Adhan
| Type | What it means | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Adhan for five daily prayers | The call that announces the beginning of the Salah time. | The Iqamah is called later when the congregation is ready to begin. |
| Fajr Adhan | The Adhan for the dawn prayer. | It includes “As-salatu khayrum minan-nawm” twice. |
| Jumu‘ah Adhan | The call for Friday prayer. | When the Friday call is made, leave business and proceed to the remembrance of Allah. |
| Iqamah | The call just before the prayer starts. | Stand, straighten the rows, and prepare to follow the imam. |
| Eid and Janazah prayer | These are special prayers. | There is no regular Adhan or Iqamah for Eid prayer. Janazah prayer also does not use the normal Adhan and Iqamah. |
Who Should Give the Adhan?
- The caller should know the words and timing.The Mu’adhdhin should call the Adhan correctly, at the correct time, with respect and clarity.
- In the masjid, the Adhan is given by the appointed caller.For public congregational prayer, the masjid appoints or allows a caller to give the Adhan and Iqamah.
- A clear voice is a blessing.The Prophet ﷺ asked that the Adhan be taught to Bilal رضي الله عنه because he had a louder voice.Hadith: Sunan Ibn Majah 706
- A person praying alone or while travelling may also call the Adhan.The Adhan is also a declaration of Salah and Tawheed when a person is away from the masjid.Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 609
What to Do When the Adhan is Called
- Listen respectfully.Pause unnecessary talk and distractions. Let the Adhan remind the heart that Salah is being called.
- Repeat after the Mu’adhdhin.The Prophet ﷺ taught that when we hear the Adhan, we should say what the Mu’adhdhin says.Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 611
- Say “La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah” at the calls to prayer and success.When the caller says “Hayya ‘alas-salah” and “Hayya ‘alal-falah,” respond with: “La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.”Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 613
- Send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ.After the Adhan, send salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ.Hadith: Sahih Muslim 384
- Read the dua after Adhan.After the Adhan, ask Allah to grant the Prophet ﷺ al-Wasilah and the praised station.Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 614; Sahih Muslim 384
- Make dua between Adhan and Iqamah.The time between the Adhan and Iqamah is a special time for dua.Hadith: Sunan Abi Dawud 521
- Prepare for Salah.Leave unnecessary work, check Wudu, dress properly, and move towards Salah. For Jumu‘ah, the Qur’an specifically commands leaving trade when the call is made.Qur’an: Surah Al-Jumu‘ah, 62:9
Dua After Adhan
After hearing the Adhan, send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ, then recite this dua.
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ، وَالصَّلَاةِ الْقَائِمَةِ، آتِ مُحَمَّدًا الْوَسِيلَةَ وَالْفَضِيلَةَ، وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَامًا مَحْمُودًا الَّذِي وَعَدْتَهُ
Transliteration:
Allahumma Rabba hadhihid-da‘watit-tammah, was-salatil-qa’imah, ati Muhammadanil-wasilata wal-fadilah, wab‘athhu maqaman mahmudanilladhi wa‘adtah.
Allahumma Rabba hadhihid-da‘watit-tammah, was-salatil-qa’imah, ati Muhammadanil-wasilata wal-fadilah, wab‘athhu maqaman mahmudanilladhi wa‘adtah.
Meaning: O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and this established prayer, grant Muhammad the Wasilah and honour, and raise him to the praised station that You promised him.
Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 614
Virtues of the Adhan
- Shaytan flees when the Adhan is called.The Prophet ﷺ said that when the Adhan is pronounced, Shaytan runs away so that he does not hear it. When the Iqamah is pronounced, he runs away again.Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 608; Sahih Muslim 388a
- The Adhan will be witnessed on the Day of Resurrection.Whoever hears the Adhan, whether human, jinn, or another creature, will be a witness for the caller on the Day of Resurrection.Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 609
- The dua after Adhan is connected to intercession.The Prophet ﷺ mentioned that the one who says the dua after Adhan will be granted his intercession on the Day of Resurrection.Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 614
- Dua between Adhan and Iqamah is not rejected.Use this time to ask Allah for forgiveness, guidance, protection, and goodness in this life and the Hereafter.Hadith: Sunan Abi Dawud 521
Common Mistakes Related to Adhan and Iqamah
- Continuing unnecessary talk during the AdhanWhen the Adhan is called, pause unnecessary speech and respond with respect.
- Treating the Adhan like background soundThe Adhan is not ordinary sound. It is the call to stand before Allah.
- Delaying Salah without a valid reasonThe Adhan should move a person towards prayer, not become something ignored while the day continues as usual.
- Continuing business after the Jumu‘ah callFor Jumu‘ah, Allah specifically commands believers to leave trade and go to the remembrance of Allah.Qur’an: Surah Al-Jumu‘ah, 62:9
- Rushing after the IqamahWhen the Iqamah is called, stand calmly, straighten the row, and prepare the heart for Salah.