AZAAN ( the Call to Prayer)
Before every Far’d Salaah, it is essential to summon the Muslims to the Masjid for prayer.The Muezzin or whoever performs this duty, must be well informed of the timings of the Salaah’s.
He follows the illustrious tradition of Syedina Bilaal (R.A.A.), the first Arab African to embrace Islam. He was the honored companion of the Prophet S.A.W.S.. His mellifluous rendering of Aza’an held people spellbound.
On the demise of the Prophet S.A.W.S. he could not find the heart to carry on his mission and he retired. He was held in such esteem by the Prophet S.A.W.S. that all the sahaaba, the honored companions, greeted him as "Syedina Bilaal" (our leader Bilaal)!
His love and devotion to the Prophet S.A.W.S. and to the Faith he embraced are a shining chapter in the history of Islam.
The Muezzin stands on an elevated place and faces the Qiblah (in Makkah). He places his forefingers in his ears and recites aloud:
ALLAHU AKBAR (four times): Allah is the Greatest.
ASH'HADU AN LAA ILAAHA ILLALLAH (twice): I bear witness that there is none to be worshipped but Allah.
ASH'HADU ANNA MOHAMMEDUR RASOOLULLAH (twice): I bear witness that Mohammed S.A.W.S is the Messenger of Allah.
HAI’YA ALAS SALAAH (twice): Hasten hither for Salaah.
HAI’YA ALAL FALAAH (twice): Hasten hither for Salvation.
ALLAHU AKBAR (twice): Allah is the Greatest.
LAA ILAAHA ILLALLAH (once): There is none to be worshipped except Allah.
Those listening to the Aza'an must repeat to themselves each exhortation as the the Muezzin completes it.
At the mention of the Prophet S.A.W.S.'s name, we recite Darood-e-Shareef: (ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALAA SYEDINA MOHAMMEDIN VA ALAA AALI SYEDINA MOHAMMEDIN’V VA BAARIK VA SALLIM).
In response to the invocation HAI’YA ALAS SALAAH and HAI’YA ALAL FALAH, we must say LAA HAVLA VALAA QUVVAATHA ILLA BILLAH.
At the end of the Azaan, we make this Du’a to Allah:
ALLAHUMMA RABBA HAAZIHID DA'WATHITH THAAMMATHI VASSALAAHIL QAAYIMATHI A'ATHI MOHAMMEDANIL VASEELATHA VAL FADEELATHA VAD DARAJATHAR RAFEE'ATHA VAB AS'UHU MAQAAMAM MAHMOODANILLAZEE VA AD'THAHU VARZUQNAA SHAFAATHAHU YAVMAL QIYAAMATHI INNAKA LAA THUKHLIFUL MEE'AADH. AMEEN!
"O Allah, Creator of this entire call and of the prayer established, (kindly) grant Mohammed Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam the pre-eminence to be our pleader and elevate him to the (highest) echelon of Mahmoodah which You have promised him. And, on the day of Qiyaamath (kindly) permit him to be our savior (and bless us with salvation). Surely You fulfill Your promises (Oh Lord)".
When we stand in rows as Jama’ath for the Salaah, the Muezzin renders the Iqa'mah. This is the same as Aza’an, with the only difference that after HAI’YA ALAL FALAAH, the words QAD QAAMATHIS SALAAH are stated twice. Their meaning: “The Jama’ath is called upon to ine up for Salaah.”
Azaan is rendered in a high pitch and with pauses in between. Iqa'mah is stated in a lower tone and at a faster pace.
We respond to it as we do to Azaan. And in reply to the call QAD QAAMATHIS SALAAH, we say AQAAMAHALLAHU VA ADAAMAHA (Ya Allah, make this eternal and permanent).
