Taken from: “Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith”, Volume 02
❀ Question:
Is there any evidence for calling an Adhan specifically for the Tahajjud prayer?
❀ Answer:
✦ During the blessed era of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, two adhans were called for Fajr.
One was before the actual appearance of dawn (ṭuluʿ al-fajr) and the second after it. Imam al-Bukhari رحمه الله included two distinct chapters in his Sahih:
- Bāb al-Adhān Qabla al-Fajr – Chapter: The Adhan before Fajr
- Bāb al-Adhān Baʿda al-Fajr – Chapter: The Adhan after Fajr
✿ First Hadith – From ʿAbdullah ibn Masʿūd رضي الله عنه:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Do not let the Adhan of Bilal prevent you from your Suḥūr, for he calls the Adhan at night so that the one praying Tahajjud may return to rest, and the one asleep may wake up…”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)
✿ Second Hadith – From ʿA’ishah and Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهم:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Bilal gives the Adhan during the night, so continue eating and drinking (for Suḥūr) until Ibn Umm Maktum gives the Adhan.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)
✦ Clarification:
- This first Adhan was not called for Tahajjud prayer specifically, but it served multiple purposes:
- It allowed the one praying at night to return and rest,
- And it served as a reminder for others to wake up for Suḥūr and prepare for Fajr.
- This Adhan should not be labeled as “Adhan for Tahajjud”, because the Prophet ﷺ never referred to it as such.
- Additionally, this Adhan should not be called too far in advance of Fajr, as its purpose is immediate preparation, not excessively early alert.
✔ Summary:
① A pre-Fajr Adhan during the Prophet’s ﷺ time is well-established in Hadith.
② It is not an Adhan for Tahajjud, but rather a reminder for:
- Ending night prayers,
- Awakening for Suḥūr and Fajr preparation.
③ Those who oppose the first Adhan are incorrect in their position, but it must not be called too early or misnamed.
Wallāhu Aʿlam.
