The Excellence of Adhan

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The Excellence of Adhan

1033. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of
Allah (PBUH) said: "Were people to know the blessing of pronouncing Adhan and the
standing in the first row, they would even draw lots to secure these privileges. And
were they to realize the reward of performing Salat early, they would race for it; and
were they to know the merits of Salat after nightfall (`Isha') and the dawn (Fajr)
Salat, they would come to them even if they had to crawl.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: This expression 'to crawl' is used to illustrate the high merit of
praying `Isha and Fajr in congregation in the mosque. This Hadith also urges to
make best to occupy the first rows, as the `Angels of Mercy' pray for the Imam first,
then for those who pray immediately behind him in the first row, then those behind
them, and so on. The Hadith also points out the excellence of Adhan and the great
reward of the person who pronounces it.

1034. Mu`awiyah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger
of Allah (PBUH) saying: "The Mu'adhdhinun (callers to prayer) will have the longest
necks on the Day of Resurrection.''
[Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith highlights the eminence of Mu'adhdhin and Adhan.


Adhan means calling people to the worship of Allah. Mu'adhdhin (the caller) gets
reward for the Salat of all those who hear his Adhan. The phrase "will have the
longest necks'' has been given different interpretations. One of them is that they are
those who long for the Mercy of Allah more than anyone else. Another interpretation
is that their necks will grow longer on the Day of Requital and so sweat will not reach
them, for every one will sweat on that day depending on his deeds: sweat will reach
up to one's ankles or knees or waists. In the case of some people, sweat will reach
up to their mouths. Another interpretation is that those who call Adhan will have an
honourable and great status on the Day of Requital.

1035. `Abdullah bin `Abdur-Rahman reported: Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be
pleased with him) said to me: "I see that you like living among your sheep in
wilderness. So whenever you are with your sheep or in wilderness and you want to
call Adhan, you should raise your voice because whoever hears the Adhan, whether a
human or jinn or any other creature, will testify for you on the Day of Resurrection.''
Abu Sa`id added: "I heard this from the Messenger of Allah (PBUH).''
[Al-Bukhari].

Commentary: Shayun is used for everything, or every other thing, and covers
animals, vegetables and inanimate matter. On the Day of Requital, Almighty Allah
will grant the faculty of speech, and all these things will testify for the Mu'adhdhin,
as would be done by mankind and jinn.

1036. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of
Allah (PBUH) said, "When Adhan for Salat is pronounced, the devil takes to his heels
and breaks wind with noise so as not to hear the call. When the Adhan is finished, he
returns. When the Iqamah is announced, he turns his back, and after it is finished,
he returns again to distract the attention of one and makes him remember things
which he does not recall in his mind before the Salat, and says `Remember this, and
this,' and thus causes one to forget how many Rak`at he performed.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: The words signify that Satan runs with great speed and he breaks
wind, or he intentionally does so. In any case, it shows that he has an aversion for
Adhan. The second point that we learn from this Hadith is that the concentration of
mind is a must for Salat to defeat all attempts of Satan to disrupt it.

1037. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I
heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, "When you hear the Adhan, repeat
what the Mu'adhdhin says. Then ask Allah to exalt my mention because everyone
who does so will receive in return ten rewards from Allah. Then beseech Allah to
grant me Al-Wasilah, which is a high rank in Jannah, fitting for only one of Allah's
slaves; and I hope that I will be that man. If any one asks Al-Wasilah for me, it
becomes incumbent upon me to intercede for him.''
[Muslim]

Commentary: To invoke blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH) means to recite


"Allahumma salli `ala Muhammadin, wa `ala ali Muhammadin, kama sallaita `ala
Ibrahima wa `ala ali Ibrahima, innaka Hamidun Majid.'' Wasilah literally means that
mode or method by which one attains his goal, but here it stands for that high rank
in Jannah which will be awarded to the Prophet (PBUH). The word Shafa`ah means
to beg someone to pardon somebody's faults and shortcomings or to request
someone for doing a virtuous deed. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to the
privilege of intercession of the Prophet (PBUH) due to which he will request for the
forgiveness of such people for whom he will be given permission by Allah.

1038. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "When you hear the Mu'adhdhin (pronouncing the
call to Salat), repeat after him what he says.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith also tells us to repeat the words of Adhan when we hear
it. But when he says "Hayya `alas-Salah'' or "Hayya `alal-Falah'' we must say "La
hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.''
1039. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah
(PBUH) said, "He who says upon hearing the Adhan: `Allahumma Rabba hadhihid-
da`wati-ttammati, was-salatil-qa'imati, ati Muhammadanil-wasilata wal-fadhilata,
wab`athu maqaman mahmuda nilladhi wa `adtahu [O Allah, Rubb of this perfect call
(Da`wah) and of the established prayer (As-Salat), grant Muhammad the Wasilah
and superiority, and raise him up to a praiseworthy position which You have
promised him]', it becomes incumbent upon me to intercede for him on the Day of
Resurrection.''
[Al-Bukhari].

Commentary: This Hadith tells us the merit of (the prayer by maens of which one
attains his should be recited in the manner narrated by `Abdullah bin `Amr, which
says that one should first repeat the wording of Adhan, then recite the prayer asking
to exalt the mention of the Prophet (PBUH) and then pray Allah to grant him the
Wasilah.

1040. Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet
(PBUH) said, "He who says after the Adhan: `Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah Wah-dahu
la sharika Lahu; wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan `abduhu wa Rasuluhu, radhitu
Billahi Rabban, wa bi Muhammadin Rasulan, wa bil Islami Dinan [I testify that there
is no true god except Allah Alone; He has no partners and that Muhammad (PBUH) is
His slave and Messenger; I am content with Allah as my Rubb, with Muhammad as
my Messenger and with Islam as my Deen],' his sins will be forgiven.''
[Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith mentions another prayer which should be recited beside
the already mentioned Du`a-al-Wasilah.

1041. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah
(PBUH) said: "The supplication made between the Adhan and the Iqamah is never
rejected.''

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