History of Adhan & What to say when hearing the adhan (call to prayer)

In Makkah, the number of muslims were small. They could make Jama’ah without any call. When Prophet Muhammad (SAW) arrived in Madinah, the number of Muslims started to increase. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) built Masjid Al-Nabawi to offer Salaah regularly. By the second year of Hijrah, the number of Muslims had increased. The people announced in a loud voice. “As-salat ul-jamiah (the Salaah for jama’ah is ready).” Those who heard this call came to join the Salaah. Muslims felt the need to find a way to inform people to come to the Salaah. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) asked his Sahabah for their advice.

Some Sahabah suggested that the muslims, like the jews, should blow a horn to announce the time for the Salaah. Others said, the muslims might ring bells as the christians do in their churches. A few proposed that the muslims, like the fire-worshippers, kindle a fire to call people to pray. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) wasn’t satisfied with any of these ideas. He waited to hear a better idea or to receive guidance from Allah.

One day, a Sahabi, Abdullah ibn Zaid came to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and said, “O Messenger of Allah! I had a beautiful dream last night.”

“What was the dream you saw”, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) asked Zaid.

Zaid answered, “I’ve seen that a man wearing green garment taught me the words of the Adhan and advised me to call people to prayer with these words.” He then recited the words of the Adhan.

The words were beautiful and full of meaning. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) recognized that the dream of Zaid was true. He asked Zaid to teach the words of Adhan to Bilal.

Bilal stood up and called the Adhan. The voice of Bilal resounded throughout the Madinah. People came running to Masjid Al-Nabawi. Umar ibn Khatib was one of the persons who came and said: “O Messanger of Allah, an angel taught me the same words in my dream last night.” And Prophet Muhammad (SAW) accepted this Adhan as the official call to the Salaah.

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Abu 'Umair bin Anas narrated from one of his uncles from the Ansãr that he said: "The Prophet was concerned about finding an appropriate method for congregating the people for the prayer. Someone suggested, 'Raise among when the time for prayer comes. When they see it, they will inform one another (and come to the Masjid).' But he did not like this (idea). So (someone) mentioned (using) a horn" - aning a Shabur - and Ziyad (the narrators) said: "The Sabur (horn of the Jews)," - " but he did not like that either, and he said: 'This is of the custom of the jews.' Then (someone) mentioned (using) a bell, but he said: 'This is of the custom of the Christians.' 'Abdullãh bin Zaid bin 'Abd Rabbih returned (to his home) troubled, due to the concern of the Messenger of Allah. He was shown the Adhãn in his dream, so he set forth to the Messenger of Allah and informed him: '0 Messenger of Allah! I was in a state between sleep and wakefulness, when a person came to me and showed me (how to perform) the Adhãn.' And 'Umar bin Al-Khattãb had seen it before that, but he did not inform (anyone) about it for twenty days, then he informed the Messenger of Allah . He asked him: 'What prevented you from informing us?' He replied: "Abdullãh bin Zaid preceded me, so I was shy (to inform you).' The Messenger of Allah then said: '0 Bilãl! Stand up and see what 'Abdullãh bin Zaid commands you to do, then do it.' So Bilal called the Adhan." Abü Bishir (one of the narrators) said: "Abu 'Umair informed me that the Ansãr think that, were it not for the fact that 'Abdullãh bin Zaid was sick at the time (of the dream), the Messenger of Allah would have made him the Mu'adhdhin." (Sahih)
Narrated: Abu 'Umair bin Anas 
Referance : Abu dawud 498

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A Translation of the Adhaan (Call to Prayer) 

The Prophet of Allah taught him this Adhan: "Allâhu akbaru Allâhu akbar; Ashhadu an lâ ilâha illallâh, Ashhadu an lâ ilâha illallâh; Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasul Allah, Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasul Allah (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great; I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah; I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah)." Then he should go back and say: "Ashhadu an lâ ilâha illallâh (I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)," twice; "Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasul Allah (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah)," twice; "Hayya 'alas-salât (Come to prayer)," twice; "Hayya 'alal-faláh (Come to prosperity)," twice. (One of the narrators) Ishâq added: "Allâhu akbaru Allâhu akbar; La ilâha illallâh (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great; none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)."

Narrated :Abü Mahdhürah

Reference : Sahih Muslim 842

1. The Sunnah recommends that while the adhan is being called, one should listen attentively and repeat every line silently after the Mu'adhdhin (the one who calls the adhan), but when he says "Hayya 'alas-Salah" and "Hayya 'ala-l-falah" one should say: La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (There is no might or power except with ALLAH)

Allah's Messenger said, "Whenever you hear the Adhan, say just as the Mu'adhdhin is saying.

Narrated :Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri

Reference : Sahih Bukhari 611

• Narrated by Yahya "Some of my companions told me that Hisham had said", "When the Mu'adhdhin said, "Haiya alas-salah (come for the prayer)." Muawiya said, "La hawla wala quwata illa billah" and added, "We heard your Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saying the same." [Sahih Bukhari :: Book 1 :: Volume 11 :: Hadith 587]

2. Invoke blessings to the Prophet (peace be upon him)

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When you hear the Mo'athen calling for the prayer, repeat his words then ask ALLAH's blessings upon me, because the one who asks ALLAH's blessings upon me once will be rewarded ten blessings by ALLAH." [Muslim, The Book of Prayer, Hadith 384]

The text of As-Salawat Al-Ibrahimiah is:

اللهم صــل علٰی محمد و علٰی آل محمد كما صليت علٰی إبراهيم و علٰی آل إبراهيم انك حميد مجيد

اللهم بارك علٰی محمد و علٰی آل محمد كما بار كت علٰی إبراهيم و علٰی آل إبراهيم انك حميد مجيد

 (Allaahumma salli alaa Muhammadin wa alaa aali Muhammadin, kamaa sallayta alaa Ibraaheema wa alaa aali Ibraaheema innaka Hameedun Majeed. Allahumma Baarik alaa Muhammadin wa alaa aali Mohammadin kamaa baarakta alaa Ibraaheema wa alaa aali Ibraaheema innaka Hameedun Majeed - i.e. O ALLAH, bestow your favor on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad as You have bestowed Your favor on Ibrahim and on the family of Ibrahim, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. O ALLAH, bless Muhammad and the family of Mohammad as You have blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious). [Al-Bukhari , The Book of Stories of the Prophet, Hadith 3370]

3. After the adhan, it is recommended to say the following dua (supplication):

Allahumma rabba hadhihi-d-da‘awati-t-tamma​ti wa-s-Salati-l-qa’imati, ati Muhammadan il-wasilata wa-l-fadilata (wa-d-darajata-r-rafî‘ati)​ wa-b‘ath-hu maqamam mahmudan illadhi wa‘adtahu (innaka la tukhliful mi'ad)

0 ALLAH, Lord of this most perfect call, and of the Prayer that is about to be established, grant to Muhammad the favor of nearness (to You) and excellence and a place of distinction, and exalt him to a position of glory that You have promised him.

This dua has variations which include 'wa-d-darajata-r-rafî‘ati'​ and 'innaka la tukhlifu'l mi'ad'.

The addition of "innaka la tukhlifu'l mi'ad" in the supplication was narrated by Imam Bayhaqi in his Sunan, and accepted for action by the fuqaha, as mentioned by Ibn Abidin in Radd al-Muhtar, quoting Shurunbulali's Imdad al-Fattah and Ibn al-Humam's Fath al-Qadir.

 • Narrated by Jabir bin 'Abdullah [may Allah be pleased with him ]: Allah's Messenger [peace and blessings be upon him] said: "Whoever after listening to the adhan says (dua is given above) then intercession for me will be permitted for him on the Day of Resurrection". [Sahih Bukhari - Book 11:588]

 • Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As [ may Allah be pleased with him] reported: I heard the Messenger of ALLAH (peace be upon him) 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 said in the dua above), 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 anyone asks Al-Wasilah for me, it becomes incumbent upon me to intercede for him." [Sahih Muslim]

4. The hearer should say after hearing adhan:

"وَأَنَا أَشَْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، رَضِيتُ بِاللهِ رَبَّاً وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ رِسُولاً وَبِالإِْسلاَمِ دِيناً".

Wa 'anaa 'ash-hadu 'an laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu wa 'anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa Rasooluhu, radheetu billaahi Rabban, wa bi-Muhammadin Rasoolan wa bil'islaami deenan.

 (And I also bear witness that there is no deity has the right to be worshipped but ALLAH alone, Who has no partner, and that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger. I am pleased with ALLAH as my Lord, with Muhammad (peace be upon him) as my Messenger and with Islam as my religion.)

[To be recited in Arabic after the Mu'aththin’s Tashahhud or the words of affirmation of Faith]) [Muslim, The Book of Prayer, Hadith 386].

5. Make dua to ALLAH in between the adhan and iqamaah

Finally, you can ask ALLAH The Almighty anything for yourself and ask the grace of ALLAH because your supplication will be answered this time.

 The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Repeat the words of the Mo'athen and when you finish, ask ALLAH what you want and you will get it" [Abu Daawood, The Book of Prayer, Hadith 524. Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajar graded the Hadeeth as Hasan and Ibn Hibbaan gave it a grading of authentic

( "Kitab As salat" Dawud :: Book 2 : Hadith 521) Narrated Anas ibn Malik: "The supplication made between the adhan and the iqamah is not rejected".

SUMMARY OF WHAT WE SHOULD DO UPON HEARING THE ADHAN

1. Stay focused on the adhan.

2.Repeat what the muadhin say except for the hayya alas-salah and hayya-ala-falah. Instead say la hawla walakuata illa bila

 3. After adhan sends salaah to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)

4. Then say the dua’ wasilah

5. Make dua between azan and iqamah.