5 Essential Deeds When Hearing the Adhan

5 Essential Deeds When Hearing the Adhan

The Adhan is a call to prayer echoed to signal the beginning of prayer times. Five times a day, the Adhan is proclaimed as the five daily prayer times arrive. The Adhan is a symbol (syiar) and a distinctive hallmark of Islamic teachings that distinguishes it from other religions—specifically Christians who traditionally use bells and Jews who traditionally use trumpets as their call to worship. Because this is a symbol that carries the core message of Islam, such as the acknowledgment of Tawhid (monotheism) and the messengership of Prophet Muhammad, Muslims are requested to pay close attention to this call, and Allah has prepared virtues for those who reflect upon it. This attention is manifested by reciting specific readings when hearing it. There are 5 recitations and their specific virtues for every Muslim who practices them regularly, as practicing them is part of honoring the symbols of Islam and following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.

1. Paradise for Those Who Respond to the Adhan

The companion Abu Hurairah narrated:

كُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَامَ بِلَالٌ يُنَادِي، فَلَمَّا سَكَتَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: "مَنْ قَالَ مِثْلَ هَذَا يَقِينًا دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ"

"We were once with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when Bilal stood up to proclaim the Adhan. After Bilal became silent (finished), the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Whoever says like this (the words of Bilal) with full certainty will enter Paradise.'" (Narrated by An-Nasa'i: 674).

The origin of this hadith is from Muslim No. 385 from Umar bin Al-Khattab, which has clear authenticity. However, in Umar's narration, there is a specification for the phrase hayya ‘alash sholah and hayya ‘alal falah, which are responded to with the phrase of hauqolah: laa hawla wa laa quwwata illaa billaah. This hadith explicitly promises Paradise for those who are diligent in responding to the Adhan.

2. Forgiveness of Sins

This is for the person who recites:

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، رَضِيتُ بِاللهِ رَبًّا وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولًا وَبِالْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا

"I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone without any partner, and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, Muhammad as my Messenger, and Islam as my religion."

This is based on the words of the Prophet ﷺ:

مَنْ قَالَ حِينَ يَسْمَعُ الْمُؤَذِّنَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، رَضِيتُ بِاللهِ رَبًّا وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولًا، وَبِالْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا، غُفِرَ لَهُ ذَنْبُهُ

"Whoever says when he hears the muadhin (calling the Adhan): ‘asyhadu allaa ilaaha illalloh’ wahdahu laa syariikalah wa anna muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rosuuluh, radhitu billaahi robbaa, wa bi muhammadin rosuulaa, wa bil islaami diinaa’, his sins will be erased for him." (Narrated by Muslim: 386 from Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqash).

The wording of the hadith above is identical to narrations from other compilers of hadith books, which literally do not specify the reading when hearing certain Adhan phrases. In this sense, the reading is not a direct response to a specific Adhan phrase. The recitation can be read when the muadhin pronounces any part of the Adhan, or one may also read it after the Adhan. This is if we follow the literal sense of the hadith above. However, there are other narrations stating that this is recited when the muadhin reads the syahadat (testimony of faith) during the Adhan:

مَنْ سَمِعَ الْمُؤَذِّنَ يَتَشَهَّدُ فَالْتَفَتَ فِي وَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ: أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، رَضِيتُ بِاللَّهِ رَبًّا وَبِالْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ

"Whoever, when hearing the muadhin recite the syahadat, turns towards his face and says: ‘asyhadu allaa ilaaha illalloh’ wahdahu laa syariikalah wa anna muhammadar rasuululloh, radhitu billaahi robbaa, wa bil islaami diinaa’, his past sins will be forgiven." (Narrated by Ibn Khuzaimah in his Sahih: 422 and At-Thahawi in Syarh Ma’ani Al-Atsar: 893).

There are differences among scholars regarding when the above reading should be recited. Some scholars, such as Al-Bayhaqi and An-Nawawi, prefer it to be read exactly when the muadhin reads the syahadat (1). Others, like As-Sindi, prefer it to be read after the Adhan is finished (2). Wallahu a’lam.

3. Allah Sends Blessings Upon Him

Allah will send blessings upon someone who hears the Adhan and then sends blessings (shalawat) upon the Messenger of Allah after the Adhan has finished. This is based on the Prophet's hadith:

إِذَا سَمِعْتُمُ الْمُؤَذِّنَ فَقُولُوا مِثْلَ مَا يَقُولُ ثُمَّ صَلُّوا عَلَيَّ، فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ صَلَاةً صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ بِهَا عَشْرً

"When you hear the muadhin calling the Adhan, repeat what he says. Then send blessings upon me. For whoever sends blessings upon me once, Allah will send blessings upon him ten times." (Narrated by Muslim: 384 from Abdullah bin Amru).

It is very clear here that pronouncing the shalawat upon the Messenger of Allah is specifically legislated to be read after the Adhan is finished, rather than immediately asking for wasilah for him.

4. Receiving the Prophet’s Intercession (Syafaat) in the Hereafter

This intercession is granted to those who recite the following prayer:

اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ وَالصَّلاَةِ القَائِمَةِ، آتِ مُحَمَّدًا الوَسِيلَةَ وَالفَضِيلَةَ وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَامًا مَحْمُودًا الَّذِي وَعَدْتَهُ

"O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and the prayer to be established. Grant Muhammad the wasilah (a station in Paradise) and the fadhilah (excellence) and raise him to the praised station which You have promised him."

This is based on the words of the Prophet ﷺ:

مَنْ قَالَ حِينَ يَسْمَعُ النِّدَاءَ: "اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ، وَالصَّلاَةِ القَائِمَةِ آتِ مُحَمَّدًا الوَسِيلَةَ وَالفَضِيلَةَ، وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَامًا مَحْمُودًا الَّذِي وَعَدْتَهُ، حَلَّتْ لَهُ شَفَاعَتِي يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ"

"Whoever says when hearing the Adhan: ‘Allahumma robba haadzihid dakwatit taammah, wash sholaatil qoo-imah. Aati muhammadanil wasiilata wal fadhiilah, wab’asthu maqoomam mahmuudanil ladzii wa ‘adtah’, my intercession will be mandatory for him on the Day of Resurrection." (Narrated by Al-Bukhari: 614 from Jabir bin Abdillah).

 

Al-Bayhaqi adds the phrase:

إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ

"Truly, You never break Your promise." (Narrated by Al-Bayhaqi in al-Kubra: 1933). (3)

This prayer is read after the Adhan, not during the Adhan. This is as per the literal meaning of the Prophet's hadith:

إِذَا سَمِعْتُمُ الْمُؤَذِّنَ فَقُولُوا مِثْلَ مَا يَقُولُ ثُمَّ صَلُّوا عَلَيَّ، فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ صَلَاةً صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ بِهَا عَشْرًا، ثُمَّ سَلُوا اللهَ لِيَ الْوَسِيلَةَ فَإِنَّهَا مَنْزِلَةٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ لَا تَنْبَغِي إِلَّا لِعَبْدٍ مِنْ عِبَادِ اللهِ، وَأَرْجُو أَنْ أَكُونَ أَنَا هُوَ، فَمَنْ سَأَلَ لِي الْوَسِيلَةَ حَلَّتْ لَهُ الشَّفَاعَةُ

"When you hear the muadhin calling the Adhan, repeat what he says. Then send blessings upon me. For whoever sends blessings upon me once, Allah will send blessings upon him ten times. Then ask Allah to grant me the wasilah, for it is a station in Paradise that is only appropriate for one servant from among the servants of Allah, and I hope that I am that one. So whoever asks for the wasilah for me, intercession becomes mandatory for him." (Narrated by Muslim: 384 from Abdullah bin Amru).

5. The Granting of Supplications

This is for the person who responds to the Adhan, not just hears it, but also fills the time with prayer. This is based on the Prophet's hadith. The companion Abdullah bin Amru narrated:

أَنَّ رَجُلًا قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الْمُؤَذِّنِينَ يَفْضُلُونَنَا فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: " قُلْ كَمَا يَقُولُونَ فَإِذَا انْتَهَيْتَ فَسَلْ تُعْطَهُ"

"A man said to the Messenger of Allah, 'The muadhins have excelled us!' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied: 'Say as they say. When you have finished (responding to the Adhan), then supplicate (ask), and you will be given.'" (Narrated by Abu Dawud: 524).

This is further strengthened in another of his words:

إِنَّ الدُّعَاءَ لَا يُرَدُّ بَيْنَ الْأَذَانِ وَالْإِقَامَةِ فَادْعُوا

"Truly, supplication is not rejected between the Adhan and the Iqamah, so supplicate (at that time)." (Narrated by Abu Dawud: 521 and At-Tirmidhi: 212 from Anas bin Malik).

Seeing all these virtues, we should not leave all these deeds behind as long as we are capable of performing them. So listen, respond, send blessings, and supplicate. Wallahu a’lam bish shawab.