Understanding the Innovation and Its Ruling in Islam
In matters of worship, particularly Salah (prayer), every act must be rooted in the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. A common practice in some places is to proclaim phrases such as “As-Salatu was-Salamu ‘alayka Ya Rasul Allah” or “As-Salatu was-Salamu ‘alayka Ya Habib Allah” between the Adhan (call to prayer) and the Iqamah (final call to prayer). The following clarifies the Islamic ruling on this practice:
✿ Question:
Is it permissible to call out salutations to the Prophet ﷺ between the Adhan and Iqamah? What is the meaning of Tathweeb in language and in Islamic terminology?
✦ Linguistic and Islamic Definitions:
❖ Linguistically:
Tathweeb means “to announce or proclaim.”
❖ Islamically:
Tathweeb refers specifically to the announcement made close to prayer time. In Islamic jurisprudence, it denotes saying “As-Salatu Khayrun Minan-Nawm” (“Prayer is better than sleep”) in the Fajr Adhan, a practice legislated by the Prophet ﷺ.
✿ Salutations Between Adhan and Iqamah:
➊ This practice is not established in the Sunnah.
➋ The Prophet ﷺ and his Companions never performed this act.
➌ It is a clear Bid‘ah (innovation) and must be avoided.
✿ Reactions of the Companions:
❖ When Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) heard a voice proclaiming such phrases after the Adhan, he said:
“Remove this innovator from the mosque.”
❖ Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) also said:
“Let us leave from this place; this is the practice of an innovator.”
These statements demonstrate that such practices were considered innovations and were strongly condemned by the Sahabah (Companions).
✿ The Sunnah Tathweeb:
✔ The only legitimate Tathweeb is the phrase “As-Salatu Khayrun Minan-Nawm” in the Fajr Adhan, as endorsed by the Prophet ﷺ and practiced by Bilal (RA).
✔ This is an integral part of the Fajr Adhan—not an added or separate statement.
❖ Summary:
① Reciting phrases like “As-Salatu was-Salamu ‘alayka Ya Rasul Allah” between the Adhan and Iqamah has no basis in the Quran or authentic Hadith.
② It is considered a Bid‘ah (innovation) and is religiously impermissible.
③ The only valid Tathweeb in Islam is the phrase in the Fajr Adhan; anything beyond this is to be rejected.
✦ Muslims must ensure that their acts of worship adhere strictly to the practices established by the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions and avoid all forms of innovation to ensure their actions are accepted by Allah.
