The Excellence of Adhan
1033. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Were people to know the blessing of
pronouncing Adhan and the standing in the first row, they would even
draw lots to secure these privileges. And were they to realize the
reward of performing Salat early, they would race for it; and were
they to know the merits of Salat after nightfall (`Isha') and the
dawn (Fajr) Salat, they would come to them even if they had to
crawl.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: This expression 'to crawl' is used to illustrate the high
merit of praying `Isha and Fajr in congregation in the mosque. This
Hadith also urges to make best to occupy the first rows, as the
`Angels of Mercy' pray for the Imam first, then for those who pray
immediately behind him in the first row, then those behind them, and
so on. The Hadith also points out the excellence of Adhan and the
great reward of the person who pronounces it.
1034. Mu`awiyah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying: "The Mu'adhdhinun (callers to
prayer) will have the longest necks on the Day of Resurrection.''
[Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith highlights the eminence of Mu'adhdhin and
Adhan. Adhan means calling people to the worship of Allah. Mu'adhdhin
(the caller) gets reward for the Salat of all those who hear his
Adhan. The phrase "will have the longest necks'' has been given
different interpretations. One of them is that they are those who
long for the Mercy of Allah more than anyone else. Another
interpretation is that their necks will grow longer on the Day of
Requital and so sweat will not reach them, for every one will sweat
on that day depending on his deeds: sweat will reach up to one's
ankles or knees or waists. In the case of some people, sweat will
reach up to their mouths. Another interpretation is that those who
call Adhan will have an honourable and great status on the Day of
Requital.
1035. `Abdullah bin `Abdur-Rahman reported: Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May
Allah be pleased with him) said to me: "I see that you like living
among your sheep in wilderness. So whenever you are with your sheep
or in wilderness and you want to call Adhan, you should raise your
voice because whoever hears the Adhan, whether a human or jinn or any
other creature, will testify for you on the Day of Resurrection.''
Abu Sa`id added: "I heard this from the Messenger of Allah (PBUH).''
[Al-Bukhari].
Commentary: Shayun is used for everything, or every other thing, and
covers animals, vegetables and inanimate matter. On the Day of
Requital, Almighty Allah will grant the faculty of speech, and all
these things will testify for the Mu'adhdhin, as would be done by
mankind and jinn.
1036. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "When Adhan for Salat is pronounced,
the devil takes to his heels and breaks wind with noise so as not to
hear the call. When the Adhan is finished, he returns. When the
Iqamah is announced, he turns his back, and after it is finished, he
returns again to distract the attention of one and makes him remember
things which he does not recall in his mind before the Salat, and
says `Remember this, and this,' and thus causes one to forget how
many Rak`at he performed.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: The words signify that Satan runs with great speed and he
breaks wind, or he intentionally does so. In any case, it shows that
he has an aversion for Adhan. The second point that we learn from
this Hadith is that the concentration of mind is a must for Salat to
defeat all attempts of Satan to disrupt it.
1037. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As (May Allah be pleased with them)
reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, "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 any one asks Al-
Wasilah for me, it becomes incumbent upon me to intercede for him.''
[Muslim]
Commentary: To invoke blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH) means to
recite "Allahumma salli `ala Muhammadin, wa `ala ali Muhammadin, kama
sallaita `ala Ibrahima wa `ala ali Ibrahima, innaka Hamidun Majid.''
Wasilah literally means that mode or method by which one attains his
goal, but here it stands for that high rank in Jannah which will be
awarded to the Prophet (PBUH). The word Shafa`ah means to beg
someone to pardon somebody's faults and shortcomings or to request
someone for doing a virtuous deed. In the context of this Hadith, it
refers to the privilege of intercession of the Prophet (PBUH) due to
which he will request for the forgiveness of such people for whom he
will be given permission by Allah.
1038. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "When you hear the Mu'adhdhin
(pronouncing the call to Salat), repeat after him what he says.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith also tells us to repeat the words of Adhan
when we hear it. But when he says "Hayya `alas-Salah'' or "Hayya
`alal-Falah'' we must say "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.''
1039. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger
of Allah (PBUH) said, "He who says upon hearing the Adhan: `Allahumma
Rabba hadhihid-da`wati-ttammati, was-salatil-qa'imati, ati
Muhammadanil-wasilata wal-fadhilata, wab`athu maqaman mahmuda
nilladhi wa `adtahu [O Allah, Rubb of this perfect call (Da`wah) and
of the established prayer (As-Salat), grant Muhammad the Wasilah and
superiority, and raise him up to a praiseworthy position which You
have promised him]', it becomes incumbent upon me to intercede for
him on the Day of Resurrection.''
[Al-Bukhari].
Commentary: This Hadith tells us the merit of (the prayer by maens
of which one attains his should be recited in the manner narrated by
`Abdullah bin `Amr, which says that one should first repeat the
wording of Adhan, then recite the prayer asking to exalt the mention
of the Prophet (PBUH) and then pray Allah to grant him the Wasilah.
1040. Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Prophet (PBUH) said, "He who says after the Adhan: `Ash-hadu an
la ilaha illallah Wah-dahu la sharika Lahu; wa ash-hadu anna
Muhammadan `abduhu wa Rasuluhu, radhitu Billahi Rabban, wa bi
Muhammadin Rasulan, wa bil Islami Dinan [I testify that there is no
true god except Allah Alone; He has no partners and that Muhammad
(PBUH) is His slave and Messenger; I am content with Allah as my
Rubb, with Muhammad as my Messenger and with Islam as my Deen],' his
sins will be forgiven.''
[Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith mentions another prayer which should be
recited beside the already mentioned Du`a-al-Wasilah.
1041. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of
Allah (PBUH) said: "The supplication made between the Adhan and the
Iqamah is never rejected.''
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].
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