❖ Tarji‘ (Double Testimony) in Adhan is a Legislated Sunnah ❖
✒ Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
◈ What Is a Tarji‘ Adhan?
Tarji‘ in Adhan refers to the repetition of the Shahadatayn (Testimonies of Faith) — “أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله” and “أشهد أن محمدًا رسول الله” — twice in a low voice, followed by repeating them again twice in a louder voice.
This form of Adhan was taught by the Prophet ﷺ to Abu Mahdhurah رضي الله عنه.
Reference:
[Muslim 379, Book of Salah: Chapter on Description of Adhan; Tirmidhi 176; Ibn Majah 701]
✿ Juristic Opinions
✔ Majority Opinion (Jumhoor: Shafi‘i, Ahmad, Malik رحمهم الله):
Tarji‘ in Adhan is recommended (Mustahabb).
Their evidence is the Hadith of Abu Mahdhurah رضي الله عنه, where the Prophet ﷺ directly taught him this method.
✖ Imam Abu Hanifah رحمه الله:
Does not recommend this form of Adhan.
Reason: The Hadith of ‘Abdullah bin Zayd رضي الله عنه — which does not mention Tarji‘ — is considered primary. Therefore, they do not consider Tarji‘ as legislated.
However, the Hadith of Abu Mahdhurah was narrated after the Battle of Hunayn (8 AH), whereas the Hadith of ‘Abdullah bin Zayd dates to the first year of Hijrah. Thus, the later narration carries an additional practice, which is to be accepted.
References:
➤ Sharh al-Muhadhdhab 3/104
➤ Al-Hidayah 1/41
➤ Subul al-Salam 1/166–168
➤ Al-Mabsut 1/128
◈ Objection: It Was Only for Teaching
Some object that the Prophet ﷺ taught Tarji‘ to Abu Mahdhurah only for instructional purposes, telling him to pronounce the Shahadatayn first in a low voice, then in a louder voice, for the sake of training.
Response:
Abu Mahdhurah رضي الله عنه was appointed as the Mu’adhdhin of Makkah and remained in this role until his death in 59 AH. During this time:
✔ Numerous Companions and Tabi‘un heard his Tarji‘ Adhan regularly
✔ During Hajj seasons, large numbers of Muslims from various regions heard this Adhan
☛ No reports of anyone objecting to this form of Adhan have been recorded.
If it were against the Sunnah, the scholars, companions, and worshippers would not have remained silent about it.
Reference:
➤ Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi 1/597–598
◈ Strongest View (Rajih)
The majority opinion (Jumhoor) remains the most widely accepted and practiced.
This includes the validation of Tarji‘ Adhan as a Sunnah practice.
✿ Additional Scholarly Statements
✔ Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله:
Both Tarji‘ and non-Tarji‘ forms of Adhan are Sunnah.
➤ Zad al-Ma‘ad 2/389
✔ An-Nawawi رحمه الله:
Tarji‘ in Adhan is established and legislated.
➤ Sharh Muslim 2/317
✔ Ash-Shawkani رحمه الله:
Tarji‘ in Adhan is permissible and valid.
➤ As-Sayl al-Jarrar 1/203
✔ Amir San‘ani رحمه الله:
The Hadith of Abu Mahdhurah includes an additional element not found in the Hadith of ‘Abdullah bin Zayd, and additions by a trustworthy narrator are accepted.
➤ Subul al-Salam 1/251
