Lesson No 54

CALL FOR PRAYER (AZAN)

Q. What do we mean by the term Azan?

Ans. The word "Azan" means to proclaim. In Shari’ah Azan means-making proclamation about particular Salats in particular terms. (The actual words used in Azan have already been quoted in Book I).

Q. Is Azan a Command or the Prophet’s precept?

Ans. Azan is the Prophets precept. But since it has come to signify the glory of Islam, it is much stressed upon.

Q. For what Salats is Azan, the Prophet’s precept?

Ans. Azan is the Prophet’s precept for all the five commanded Salats of the day plus the one for Jum’ah. It is not so for other Salats.

Q. At what time should Azan be proclaimed?

Ans. Azan should be proclaimed on time for every Fard Salat. It must be called again if it has been said before time.

Q. What is the mustahab way of Azan.

Ans. There are seven mustahab (desirable) acts in Azan:

1. to face the Qiblah;
2. to say each part of it slowly and distinctly;
3. to put the first fingers of both hands into one’s ears while saying the Azan;
4. to say it from a raised place;
5. to call it in a loud voice;
6. to turn the face to the right while pronouncing:

HAYYA’ ALAS-SALAH

And to the left, while saying:

HAY-YA’ ALAL-FALAH;

(7) to proclaim;

AS-SALATU KHAIRUM-MINAN-NAUM

Twice after in the Azan of Fajr.

Q. What does Iqamah (standing) mean?

Ans. The formula for the azan is also repeated before the Fard Salat, but the words:

QAD-QAMATIS-SALAH

Are also repeated twice in Iqamah after:

HAY-YA’ ALAL-FALAH

Q. Are Azan and Iqamah masnun both for men and women?

Ans. No, it is masnun only for men.

Q. How is it to say the Azan or Iqamah without making ablution?

Ans. It is allowed to call the Azan without ablution, but to form a habit of it is bad. To say the iqamah without ablution is undesirable.

Q. Must a person say the Azan and iqamah while offering the fard salat at home?

Ans. The Azan and the Iqamah said in the neighbouring mosque will suffice. But it is better to say it there also.

Q. Must a person on-journey say the Azan and Iqamah?

Ans. Yes, if one is on journey and out of a populated area, both Azan and Iqamah should be said. But there is no harm if he says only the Iqamah and no Azan. It is undesirable to give up both.

Q. Is it allowed that two different persons say the Azan and the Iqamah?

Ans. Yes, it is allowed if the person who has said the Azan is not present or, if present, has no objection to the other person’s calling the Iqamah. If, however, another man’s calling the Iqamah causes unhappiness to the former it would be undesirable.

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