The Significance, Virtues And Manners Of Adhan
Meaning of Adhan:
The literal meaning of the word Adhan in Islam is to notify, to announce or to proclaim. In the Islamic context, the Adhan refers to the call to prayer. It is through Adhan that the Muslims get to know that it is the time to pray. Muslims are ordered to pray five obligatory prayers. They are notified about the time to pray by Adhan. The person who calls Adhan is known as Moazzin.
The origin of Adhan:
When Muslims migrated to Madina, they built a mosque, the beautiful Masjid-e-Nabawi. Now the issue was how do Muslims know about the time of prayer. There were several suggestions such as blowing a trumpet or ringing a huge bell. These suggestions were rejected by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Then Hazrat Omer (RA) suggested that it should be a human voice that would make a call to prayer. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) asked one of his companions to make Hazrat Bilal (RA) learn certain words which we today know as words of Adhan.
Significance of Adhan:
Adhan has great significance in Islam. It is a call from Allah to offer prayers. Not just it is the call to pray, it is the call to success, for whoever listens carefully to Adhan and offers prayers upon its completion will reach greatest heights of success in this world and hereafter. The magnitude of benefits to a Muslim rendered by Adhan can be judged by the fact that when Adhan is made it perturbs Satan so much that he cannot hear it. He tries his level best to prevent a Muslim from offering prayers because prayer is the key to Paradise.
Virtues of Adhan:
Adhan is the reminder to a Muslim to pray and build a soulful connection with Allah. Nothing can be more virtuous than building a link with Allah which is done by Salat. Adhan is the call to Salat which indicates how virtuous Adhan is. Its honor can be judged by the following hadith:
“If people knew about the virtue of Adhan and performing prayers in the first line in the mosque, they would draw lots for them.”
Not only is Adhan call to one of the fundamental pillars of Islam and hence success, but it also reinforces another basic pillar of Islam; the Oneness of Allah and finality of Prophethood.
There is great reward for Moazzin in Islam. As the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Everybody, whether a human or a jinn, hearing the voice of adhan will witness in favor of that muezzin on the Day of Judgment.”
Manners of Adhan:
Given the status and sacredness of Adhan, it is the utmost duty of all Muslims to show great respect and reverence for Adhan. Muslims are ordered to stop doing whatever they are doing when Adhan begins. They must not speak in between of Adhan. Rather, they are instructed to repeat the words of Adhan after the Moazzin. Upon listening to Adhan, Muslims must go and offer prayers in the mosque. Upon completion of Adhan, Muslims must offer supplication to Allah. Reciting that supplication will enable a Muslim to benefit from the intercession of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) which in itself is a great reward.
Summary:
Adhan is basically a reminder to the Muslims about the basic purpose of life; that is to submit oneself to the will of Allah. When one is busy in worldly life and its matters, Adhan acts as a reminder for the Muslims that nothing is over and above the command of Allah. Moreover, this is the only way you can attain eternal success; by adhering to the command of Allah.