When it was ordered to offer prayer (Namaz) in congregation people were consulted for deciding the method of calling for the prayer. Some one suggested that at the time of Namaz (prayer) a fire may be lit on a tower,another suggested to blow a horn or striking a gong.
The prophet Sal'am said that burning the fire is related to the person who worship the fire, blowing the horn or striking gong relates to Jews and Christian. Thus none of these suggestion were acceptable.
Hzt. Abdullah Bin Zaid was inspired by a mode of calling Azan, in his dream. He narrated it before Hzt. Mohammed Sal'am. The Prophet Sal'am said that it was a true dream. The motive behind the words of Azan is not only to call people for the prayer but also the declaration about the prayed one i.e. Allah, affirmation of the Prophet and the faith of the person calling for prayer (Moazzin). Anhuzoor Sal'am said that many a sin of the Moazzin will be forgiven by Allah. (Ibne Maja, Nasai) The Moazzin will be accorded virtues of performing prayers (Namaz) for ‘25’ times. (Bukhari ahmed Ibne Maja Nasai)
The man who performs this Holy duty of Azan ‘5’ times daily for ‘12’ years continious will be eligible for Heaven. (Ibne Maja)
The Moazzin will be accorded ‘60’ virtues for every day’s Azan, and ‘30’ virtues for Iqamat (call for grouping for Namaz (salah) (prayer) (Ibne Maja)
Any prayer (Dua) or invocation between Azan and Iqamat will be accepted. (Abu Dawood Tirmizi)
Some body said to Hzt. Sal'am that the people who have no opportunity of calling Azan, will be deprived of these blessings and virtues. Anhuzoor Sal'am said if you also want to get the same reward, repeat the same words which the Moazzin says and then pray (Dua) for any thing and it will be granted. (Abu Dawood)
For the five obligatory prayers saying Azan from an elevated place is Sunnat-e-Muakkadah for men. One who leaves it will be a sinner, equalent to one who had left an essential act (Wajib). (Ghayatul Autar)
Important: Saying Azan, without putting index fingers in to the ears is good and putting fingers in to the ears is better. (Ghayatul Autar)
Important: By putting fingers in to the ears, the voice becomes louder. Thus Anhazrat Sal'am said to Hzt. Bilal Raz. put the fingers in to the ears your voice would become louder, Another advantage is that even a deaf person and one who is at a long distance may not hear the Azan. But can know that the call for Salat is on. (Ghayatul Autar)
One who says Iqamat (the second call for grouping for prayer) need not put the fingers in the ears, for the Iqamat is called slower than Azan. (Ghayatul Autar)
If at a place all the people have missed their regular Namaz (prayer) and wanted to offer it as a missed prayer in group, then it is desirable to do so after saying Azan and Iqamat. (Ghayatul Autar)
Azan by a blind man, a bastard or a villager is permissible. (Ghayatul Autar)
Saying Azan in two mosques by the same person if he had already offered Namaz (prayer) in the first Mosque, is undesirable (Makrooh). (Ghayatul Autar)
Important: Tirmizi narrated from Jaber Raz, that Anhazrat Sal'am said to Hzt, Bilal Raz, that, when saying Azan, say it stopping at every " call and say " Iqamat quickly. (Noorul Hadaya)
Important: Between Azan and Iqamat, there should be sufficient time to enable people who are eating to finish food, and those attending to call of nature to get proper relief. But in the evening prayer (Maghrib) there shall be no delay between Azan and Iqamat. (Noorul Hudaya)
The man who offers prayer (Namaz) in the mosque in congregation, his missing Azan and Iqamat is undesirable (Makrooh), Traveller saying the Iqamat is permissible. (Noorul Hadaya)
The person who is offering prayer (Namaz) in his house, need not tell Azan and Iqamat if Azan and Iqamat is said in his locality mosque. (Noorul Hudaya)If Azan is said before time, it should be repeated at the right time. (Tahtavi, Malabudh, Noorul Hadaya)
The Call (Azan)
Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, Allah is the
greatest, Allah is the greatest.
I bear witness that there is none worthy worshipping except Allah,
I bear witness that there is none worthy worshipping except Allah.
I bear witness that Mohammed is the Messenger of Allah.
I bear witness that Mohammed is the Messenger of Allah.
Come to prayers. Come to prayers. (Namaz)
Come to prosperity. Come to prosperity.
Allah is the greatest. Allah is the greatest. There is no God. But Allah.
For Fajr prayer (Namaz), after calling come to prosperity. Then
Prayer (Salath/Namaz) is better than sleep. Is to be repeated twice.
Since once Anhazrat Sal'am was sleeping at
the time of Fajr. Hzt. Bilal Raz. said twice prayer is better than sleep, so Anhazrat
Sal'am said that it was a very nice sentence and ask Hzt. Bilal Raz. to add into his Azan
in Fajr. (Noorul Hadaya)
In Iqamat (Takbeer) after saying, Come to prosperity, the words
Be stand for Prayer (Salah). It is to be repeated
twice. (Noorul Hadaya)
Important: In Saheeh Muslim it is narrated from Hzt.Abdullah Bin 'Omer Bin Aas Raz. that Hzt Nabi Kareem Sallam said, when you hear the Moazzin calling for prayer (Namaz), repeat his words and then offer Durood on me. For one who offers Durood Shareef, Allah will shower mercy and blessing on him ten time as a reward for this action. Then pray Allah for me (Vasila). Since vasila is a position in the Heaven. One who prays for this position for me, my intercession (Shafaat) for him will be essential. One who replies the Moazin’s call, should do so after listening to each of the complete call and not before.
But in reply of
Come to prayer, and in reply of
Come to prosperity, say
And in reply of, Prayer is better than sleep say
You spoke the truth and you are a virtuous person
(Ghayatul Autar)
Important: If the listener of Azan is in menses period, or the woman in delivery or hearing a sermon, or in a funeral prayer or in lavatory or in sexual action or taking meals or learning education or teaching pupils, then need not reply the calls of Azan. But if he is reciting the Holy Quran, he should stop it and reply the calls of Azan. But if reciting Holy Quran in the Mosque, then need not discontinue it. (Ghayatul Autar)
As reported by Muslim, etc. through Jaber Raz. Nabi Kareem Sal'am said that on hearing Azan, if one recites the following Dua (Invocation) then intercession (Shafa’at) on the day of Judgement would be compulsory (Wajib) on me.
‘O’ Allah ‘O’ Lord of this complete invitation of ever lasting prayer
(Salat)
make Mohammed Sal'am our source and bestow on him and elevate his position
and place him on the Muqam-e-Mahmood (the dignified position) that thou hast
promised him and bestow his intercession to us on the day of Judgement.
Of- course Thou never goes back on Thy word. (Ghayatul Autar)
Important: It is clarified that Azan is called for the congregational prayer. Thus soon after hearing this prayer call one must leave every thing and go to mosque to attend to the prayer (Salat). It is narrated that Hazrat Mahdi-e-Mauood Alahisalam, even if eating used to stop eating on hearing Azan and go to mosque for prayer.