The Adhan, the Islamic call to prayer, is a significant aspect of Muslim worship, marking the times for the five daily prayers. Observing the sunnah (recommended practices) of Adhan enriches this spiritual experience. Here are five important sunnah to observe during the Adhan.
1. Repeat After the Muazzin
When the muazzin (the one who calls to prayer) recites the Adhan, it is a sunnah to repeat after him whatever he says, except during the phrases
"حَيَّ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ" (Hayya ‘ala-s-Salah) and "حَيَّ عَلَى الْفَلَاحِ" (Hayya ‘ala-l-Falah).
During these phrases, one should respond with
"لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ" (La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah),
meaning "There is no power and no strength except with Allah."
2. Sending Salat upon the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
After the Adhan is completed, it is a sunnah to send blessings (salat) upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This can be done by reciting:
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
(Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrahim wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahim wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid.)
3. Reciting the Masnoon Dua
Following the Adhan and the salat upon the Prophet, it is recommended to recite the masnoon dua. This dua asks Allah for intercession and the ability to offer the prayer. The dua is:
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ، وَالصَّلَاةِ الْقَائِمَةِ، آتِ مُحَمَّدَاً الْوَسِيلَةَ وَالْفَضِيلَةَ، وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَامَاً مَحْمُودَاً الَّذِي وَعَدْتَهُ
(Allahumma rabba hadhihi-d-da’wat-it-taammah, wa-s-salatil qa’imah, ati Muhammadan al-wasilata wa-l-fadhilah, wab’ath-hu maqaman mahmudan alladhi wa’adtah.)
This means, "O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and established prayer, grant Muhammad the intercession and favor, and raise him to the honored station You have promised him."
4. Declaring the Shahada and the Dua
It is also recommended to declare the shahada (testimony of faith) and say the following dua:
وَأَنَا أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، رَضِيتُ بِاللَّهِ رَبًّا وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولًا وَبِالْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا
(Wa ana ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah wahdahu la sharika lahu, wa anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluhu, raditu billahi rabban wa bi Muhammadin rasulan wa bil Islami dinan.)
This means, "I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, alone without partner, and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, with Muhammad as my Messenger, and with Islam as my religion."
5. Making Personal Du’a
After completing the above steps, it is a sunnah to make any personal du’a you desire. This is a time when prayers are highly likely to be accepted. You can ask Allah for anything you wish, whether it is for your own needs, the well-being of others, or for guidance and blessings.
By observing these sunnah practices during the Adhan, we not only honor the call to prayer but also draw closer to Allah and strengthen our faith. May these practices enrich our spiritual journey and bring us peace and blessings.