The Adhan and Iqamah are the calls to prayer right before the five daily Salah. Both are important because they help Muslims remember Allah (SWT) and pray together in congregation and on time.
Before learning how to say Azan and Iqamah, let’s explore:
- What exactly are Adhan and Iqamah?
- Why are they so important in Islam?
- What’s the difference between them?
What is Azan (Adhan) in Islam?
The Azan, also called Adhan, is a call to prayer. It is given to announce the time for a specific Salah (five daily prayers). Azan is recited by the muezzin (the one who says azan) for the five daily obligatory prayers and Jumm’ah. Azan is a sunnah and saying, listening, repeating, and responding to it brings reward from Almighty Allah (SWT).
Importance of Azan
Azan is called before the congregation prayer. It is given out from loud speakers to reach the ears of the maximum number of people. It’s not just an announcement; it’s an open invitation to Muslim for prayer. It is an integral part of Muslim faith.
In a verse from the Holy Quran, the importance of Azan is shown in reference to Jumu’ah:
“O you who have believed, when the call is made for the prayer on the day of Jumu’ah (Friday), then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trade. That is better for you, if you only knew.”
This Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) shows the importance of answering to the Azan as:
“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 anyone asks Al-Wasilah for me, it becomes incumbent upon me to intercede for him.”
(Muslim)
The profound words of Azan affirm oneness of Almighty Allah (SWT), and the finality of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It summons Muslims to cease their worldly activities and reconnect with the Creator. Each word of Azan carries the divine wisdom from the declaration of Allah's greatness and invitation towards salvation.
Azan brings Muslims closer in worship, fostering discipline, unity and faith as people gather for Salah. We must understand that Azan itself is a lifeline or a call to Allah’s mercy and responding to it is rewarded greatly by Him. And it plays a great role in strengthening faith:
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said,
"The supplication between Adhan and Iqamah is never rejected."
What is Iqamah?
Iqamah means? to announce the start of prayer. It is sunnah, practiced by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), to call Iqama just before starting the Salah. It is recommended to repeat Iqama along with the muqim (the person who announces Iqama).
Importance of Iqamah
The Iqamah is the second call to prayer that tells Muslims it's time to start praying. It's like a green light that says, “Prayer is ready —
stand up now!” When believers hear it, they quickly stop doing anything else and line up to worship Allah (SWT) together.
The Iqamah signals the start of Salah, emphasizing the importance of praying on time, and helps us practice obeying Allah's commands. The beautiful words of Iqamah keep our hearts focused on Allah as we begin our Salah.
Difference Between Iqama and Adhan?
The Adhan and Iqamah are both important calls in Islam, but they are not the same. The Adhan is like a friendly reminder that prayer time has arrived. It's declared out loud from mosques to tell Muslims it's time to stop what they're doing and get ready to pray.
The Iqamah comes right before the prayer actually starts - it's like saying "Line up everyone, we're beginning now!" While the Adhan is longer and heard from far away, the Iqamah is shorter, intended for those already at the mosque.
Both calls are reminders to worship Allah (SWT), but the Adhan warns us prayer is coming, and the Iqamah tells us to start praying right away. The special words in each call help prepare our hearts and minds to connect with Allah Almighty through Salah.
Saying Azaan holds great benefits and rewards as mentioned in the Hadith. Let’s learn how to say Azan and Iqamah.
How to Say Azan (Adhan)?
Nowadays, Azan is recited on loud speakers. You need to face the qibla with your fingers in the hole of the ears or with hands on your ears, and start reciting the following words:
The Form of Adhan
- Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) – 4 times Takbir
- Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah) – 2 times
- Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasul Allah (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah) – 2 times
- Hayya 'alas-salah (Hasten to the prayer) – 2 times
- Hayya 'ala-l-falah (Hasten to success) – 2 times
- Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) – 2 times
- La ilaha illa Allah (There is no god but Allah) – 1 time
Note: In the Azaan of Fajr, after حَيَّ عَلَى ٱلْفَلَاحِ add ☆ٱلصَّلَاةُ خَيْرٌ مِنَ ٱلنَّوْمِ☆ ٱلصَّلَاةُ خَيْرٌ مِنَ ٱلنَّوْمِ . During Azaan and Iqama, turn your face to the right on حَيَّ عَلَى ٱلصَّلَاةِ and on حَيَّ عَلَى ٱلْفَلَاحِ to the left.
Youtube Video: Adhan Full | Azan Recitation With English Translation | Call To Prayer Arabic
After Adhan
Read the following duaa after Azaan with durood (Salah) in the beginning and in the end:
اللَّهُمْ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعُوَةِ التَّامَّةِ وَالصَّلوةِ الْقَائِمَةِآتِ سَيِّدَنَا مُحَمَّدَ الْوَسِيلَةَ وَالْفَضِيلَةَ وَالدَّرَجَةَ
الرَّفِيعَةَ وَابْعَثُهُ مَقَامًا مَّحْمُودَ الَّذِي وَعَدتُه وَارْزُقْنَا
☆شَفَاعَتَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادُ
Youtube Video: Azan Dua Full | Dua After Adhan English Translation & Transliteration
How to Say Iqamah?
Iqamah is similar to azaan with a little difference. After حَيَّ عَلَى ٱلصَّلَاةِ and حَيَّ عَلَى ٱلْفَلَاحِ add following:
During Iqamah do not put your fingers in your ears and do not not put your hands on your ears, say the iqama with a lower voice compared to the azaan but not so low that the people there can not hear, say the words of Iqamah without pauses like in Azaan.
Youtube Video: Iqamah in Arabic & English Translation | Takbir Before Salah | Second Call To Prayer in the Mosque
Learn More About Islam and the Qur’an
Now that you’ve learned how to recite Azan and Iqamah, the next step you need to know is, how to make Wudu, how to pray Salah, and learn the Five Pillars of Islam: Shahada, Salah, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj. These are the fundamentals pillars of Islam that every Muslim must learn, practice and follow.
In addition, learning the Six Kalimas, Everyday Duas, Short Surahs of the Holy Quran, Ramadan Prayers, the Arabic phonetics and the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is highly recommended. As a reliable online Quran academy, we’ve been teaching the basics of the Islam and the Holy Qur’an for beginners and new Muslims.
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