❖ Rulings Related to the Adhan
✔ Giving the Adhan for Every Salah
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“When the time for prayer comes, let one of you give the Adhan, and the most senior among you should lead the prayer.”
(Bukhari, Al-Adhan, Chapter: One Mu’adhin Suffices While Travelling, Hadith 628; Muslim, Al-Masajid, Chapter: Who Has More Right to Lead, Hadith 674)
✔ Adhan must be given at the prescribed time of each obligatory prayer.
✔ One Adhan is sufficient in journey as well.
❖ Method of Giving the Adhan
✔ Fingers in the Ears
Sayyiduna Bilal رضي الله عنه used to insert his fingers into his ears while giving the Adhan.
(Bukhari [Mu‘allaq], Al-Adhan, Chapter: Should the Mu’adhin Turn His Mouth Here and There; Tirmidhi, Al-Salah, Chapter: What Has Been Reported Regarding Putting Fingers in Ears During Adhan, Hadith 191)
✔ Turning the Face During Specific Phrases
Sayyiduna Bilal رضي الله عنه would:
➤ Turn his face to the right when saying: “حَيَّ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ“
➤ Turn his face to the left when saying: “حَيَّ عَلَى الْفَلَاحِ”
(Bukhari, Al-Adhan, Chapter: Should the Mu’adhin Turn His Mouth Here and There, Hadith 634; Muslim, Al-Salah, Chapter: Sutrah for the One Who Prays, Hadith 303)
✔ Turning the head in these phrases is Sunnah.
❖ Taking a Wage for Giving the Adhan
Sayyiduna ‘Uthman bin Abi al-‘As رضي الله عنه reported:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ appointed me as the Imam of my people and instructed:
Appoint a Mu’adhin who does not take wages for giving the Adhan.”
(Abu Dawud, Al-Salah, Chapter: Taking Payment for the Adhan, Hadith 531; Tirmidhi, Al-Salah, Chapter: Dislike of Taking Wages for the Adhan, Hadith 209; authenticated by Al-Hakim and Al-Dhahabi)
✔ It is discouraged to assign a Mu’adhin who takes wages for giving Adhan.
✔ However, it is permissible to accept a gift (hadya) voluntarily given.
✔ Accepting a Gift for Adhan
Sayyiduna Abu Mahdhurah رضي الله عنه said:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught me how to give the Adhan. When I completed it, he gave me a small bag that contained some silver.”
(Nasai, Al-Adhan, Chapter: How the Adhan Is Given, Hadith 633)
✔ Voluntary gifts are permissible even if wages are not to be demanded.
❖ Preference for a Mu’adhin With a Loud Voice
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Zayd رضي الله عنه reported:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
Teach Bilal the Adhan, for he has a louder voice than you.”
(Abu Dawud, Al-Salah, Chapter: How to Give the Adhan, Hadith 499; Tirmidhi: 191)
✔ A person with a strong and loud voice is preferable for the Adhan.
A female Companion رضي الله عنها narrated:
“My house was the highest near the mosque, and Sayyiduna Bilal رضي الله عنه used to stand on its roof to give the Adhan for Fajr prayer.”
(Abu Dawud, Al-Salah, Chapter: Giving Adhan from a Minaret, Hadith 515; Ibn Hajar declared it Hasan)
✔ Giving the Adhan from an elevated place is also established from the Sunnah.
