Is Sending Salutations Before Adhan Proven from Hadith? A Research-Based Review
Source: Ahkam wa Masail: Kitab al-Salat, Vol.1, p.117
Question:
In Sunan Abu Dawood, under Bab al-Adhan fawqa al-Manarah, there is a narration from a woman of Banu Najjar that Bilal (رضي الله عنه) used to recite this supplication before giving the Adhan:
«اَللّٰہُمَّ اِنِّیْ اَحْمَدُکَ وَاسْتَعِیْنُکَ عَلٰی قُرَیْشٍ اَنْ یُقِیْمُوْا دِیْنَکَ، ثُمَّ یُؤَذِّنُ»
(O Allah! I praise You and seek Your help against Quraysh so that they may establish Your religion, then he would give the Adhan.)
The narrator swore that Bilal (رضي الله عنه) would recite this Du‘a before every Adhan.
The question is: does this Hadith prove the practice of the Barelwi sect of reciting “al-Salatu wa al-Salamu ‘alayka ya Rasul Allah” before Adhan?
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ‘ala Rasulillah, amma ba‘d!
The research-based response is as follows:
➊ Weakness in the Chain of Narration
This narration is mentioned in Sunan Abu Dawood, but its chain is weak for two main reasons:
- First Weak Narrator:
In the chain is Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ayyub.- Ya‘qub ibn Shaybah said: “He was not among the people of Hadith, only a copyist.” (Tahdhib al-Tahdhib 1/71)
- Abu Ahmad al-Hakim said: “He is not strong according to them.” (Tahdhib 1/71)
- Yahya ibn Ma‘in said: “He is a liar.” (Mizan al-I‘tidal 1/133; Tahdhib 1/71)
- Second Weak Narrator:
Muhammad ibn Ishaq is also in the chain.
Hafiz Ibn Hajar said: “He is an Imam of Maghazi, truthful, but does tadlis, and was accused of Shi‘a leanings and Qadari beliefs.” (Taqrib al-Tahdhib p.290)
According to the principles of Hadith, a Mudallis narrator’s report is unacceptable unless he clearly states he heard directly (sima‘). In this narration, Ibn Ishaq narrates with “عن”, without proof of direct hearing.
Thus, the chain is unreliable.
➋ What About Scholars Who Declared Him Trustworthy?
Some may argue that Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ayyub was considered trustworthy by a few scholars. However, detailed Jarh (criticism) that identifies a flaw is preferred over general Ta‘dil (praise). Since here the Jarh is clear and explained, the narration is not acceptable.
Also, Abu Dawood’s or al-Mundhiri’s silence over this narration does not validate it.
➌ Narration Is Not Proven to Be Marfu‘ (from the Prophet ﷺ)
- Even if the woman of Banu Najjar was a Sahabiyyah, it does not mean she only reported from the Prophet’s time.
- Bilal (رضي الله عنه) being the Prophet’s Mu’adhdhin does not mean every practice of his was from the Prophet ﷺ. It could have been something he did later.
Thus, the narration cannot be confidently traced back to the Prophet ﷺ.
➍ No Mention of Salutations Before Adhan
This narration contains neither:
- Ta‘awwudh (seeking refuge),
- nor Salat Ibrahimiya,
- nor the Barelwi practice of reciting “al-Salatu wa al-Salamu ‘alayka ya Rasul Allah.”
Therefore, this Hadith does not support reciting any form of Salutations before Adhan.
➎ Conclusion
- The chain of narration is weak.
- The report is not necessarily Marfu‘.
- The practice of reciting Salutations before Adhan is not proven from this Hadith.
Hence, the Barelwi practice of citing this narration as evidence for reciting “al-Salatu wa al-Salamu ‘alayka ya Rasul Allah” before Adhan is false, baseless, and unscientific.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
