Call to prayer (adhan)

The adhan is the call to prayer, established in the early Medinan community. The first performer was the Prophet’s Ethiopian muezzin Bilal ibn Rabah.

The text:

Mu’adhdhin Remarks Meaning: Response from congregation Meaning: Allahu akbar Allahu akbar Stand facing qibla, fingertips in ears God is greater [than all else] (2x) Allahu akbar Allahu akbar (2x) God is greater (2x) Allahu akbar Allahu akbar (more melismatic) God is greater (2x) Allahu akbar Allahu akbar God is greater (2x) Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah I testify that there is no deity but God Ashhadu alla ilaha illa Allah I testify that there is no deity but God Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah (more melismatic) I testify that there is no deity but God Ashhadu alla ilaha illa Allah I testify that there is no deity but God Ashhadu anna Muhammad rasul Allah I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God Ashhadu anna Muhammad rasul Allah I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God Ashhadu anna Muhammad rasul Allah (more melismatic) I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God Ashhadu anna Muhammad rasul Allah (more melismatic) I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God Hayya ‘ala al-salah Turn head to the right. Come to prayer! La hawl wa la quwwa illa bi Allah There is no might nor power except with God the High and Great Hayya ‘ala al-salah (very melismatic) Come to prayer! La hawl wa la quwwa illa bi Allah There is no might nor power except with God the High and Great Hayya ‘ala al-falah Turn head to the left. Come to salvation! La hawl wa la quwwa illa bi Allah There is no might nor power except with God the High and Great Hayya ‘ala al-falah (very melismatic) Come to salvation! La hawl wa la quwwa illa bi Allah There is no might nor power except with God the High and Great al-salatu khayrun min al-nawm Turn head back to qibla Prayer is better than sleep. sadaqta wa barirt you have spoken truthfully and rightfully al-salatu khayrun min al-nawm Prayer is better than sleep. sadaqta wa barirt you have spoken truthfully and rightfully Allahu akbar Allahu akbar God is greater (2x) Allahu akbar Allahu akbar (2x) God is greater (2x) la ilaha illa Allah There is no deity but God. la ilaha illa Allah There is no deity but God.

A

The call to prayer in Medina, performed by Muhammad Hakim

The call to prayer, with Islamic images, performed by Kuwaiti Shaykh Mashari Rashid