Sunnahs of Adhan & Iqamah in the Quran & Sunnah

1. No speech is better than that of the one who calls to Allah.

Allah says:

وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ قَوْلًا مِّمَّن دَعَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِى مِنَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ

Who can be better in words than the one who calls towards Allah, and acts righteously and says, “I am one of those who submit themselves (to Allah)”? (Surah Fussilat 41:33)

Lesson: “Who is better in speech than one who calls to Allah, works righteousness, and says: I am of the Muslims?” The caller to prayer stands inside this praise.

2. The adhan is the banner of Islam — it is never mocked by those who understand.

Allah says:

وَإِذَا نَادَيْتُمْ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ٱتَّخَذُوهَا هُزُوًا وَلَعِبًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا يَعْقِلُونَ

When you call for Salāh, they take it in jest and fun. That is because they are a people who do not understand (Surah al-Ma’idah 5:58)

Lesson: Allah rebukes those who took the call to prayer as jest and play — the adhan is treated with silence and respect, for it is the public announcement of His worship.

1. If people knew the reward of giving the adhan, they would draw lots for it.

“If the people knew what is in the call (to prayer) and the first row, and then could find no way to get it except by drawing lots, they would draw lots for it.” The mu’adhdhin’s office is competed for in the Hereafter’s scale.

2. Shaytan flees at the sound of the adhan.

“When the call to prayer is made, Shaytan turns his back and flees, passing wind, so as not to hear the adhan; when it ends he returns — and when the iqamah is called, he flees again.” The call is a weapon against the enemy.

3. The mu’adhdhin raises his voice and puts his fingers in his ears, as Bilal did.

Abu Juhayfah said: “I saw Bilal calling the adhan, following his mouth from side to side, with his two fingers in his ears.” The call is projected so the whole town hears the invitation.

4. The mu’adhdhin is forgiven as far as his voice reaches.

“The mu’adhdhin is forgiven to the extent of his voice, and every wet and dry thing prays for forgiveness for him.” Every tree, stone and creature his voice touches becomes his intercessor.

5. Everything that hears the call will testify for the mu’adhdhin on the Last Day.

“Nothing hears the voice of the mu’adhdhin — neither jinn, nor man, nor anything else — except that it will bear witness for him on the Day of Resurrection.”

6. When you hear the adhan, repeat what the mu’adhdhin says.

“When you hear the call, then say the like of what he says.” Stop the conversation, stop the work — and answer the caller phrase by phrase.

7. At “hayya ‘alas-salah” and “hayya ‘alal-falah”, say: la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.

لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ

La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah — There is no power and no strength except with Allah. ‘Umar explained the answers to the call, ending: “Whoever says this from his heart enters Paradise.”

8. After the adhan, ask Allah to give the Prophet ﷺ the wasilah.

اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ وَالصَّلَاةِ الْقَائِمَةِ، آتِ مُحَمَّدًا الْوَسِيلَةَ وَالْفَضِيلَةَ، وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَامًا مَحْمُودًا الَّذِي وَعَدْتَهُ

Allahumma rabba hadhihid-da‘watit-tammah, was-salatil-qa’imah, ati Muhammadan il-wasilata wal-fadilah, wab‘athhu maqaman mahmudan illadhi wa‘adtah — O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and the prayer to be established, give Muhammad the wasilah and the excellence, and raise him to the praised station You promised him. “Whoever says this when he hears the call, my intercession becomes lawful for him on the Day of Resurrection.”

9. Between the adhan and the iqamah, raise your hands in dua — it is not rejected.

“The supplication between the adhan and the iqamah is not rejected.” The waiting minutes in the mosque are among the most valuable of the day.

10. At the iqamah, do not stand until you see the imam.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “When the iqamah is pronounced, do not stand for the prayer until you see me (come out before you).” The congregation rises when the imam appears — in calm, without crowding or haste.

11. The mu’adhdhins will have the longest necks on the Day of Resurrection.

Mu‘awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) heard the Prophet ﷺ say: “The mu’adhdhins will have the longest necks of all people on the Day of Resurrection” — raised above the crowds in honour of the call they raised in the world.

12. The mu’adhdhin is a trustee — and the prayer for him is forgiveness.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “The imam is responsible, and the mu’adhdhin is entrusted (a trustee). O Allah, guide the imams and forgive the mu’adhdhins.”