Ruling on Giving Adhan Before the Friday Sermon
Source: Fatawa Rashidiyyah, p. 323
❖ Question
On the day of Jumu‘ah, the Adhan is given when the Khutbah begins. Is it permissible to give another Adhan before this one, so that people may be informed in advance and prepare themselves for the Khutbah and Salah?
❖ Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ‘ala Rasulillah, amma ba‘d!
Yes, it is permissible to give the Adhan before the Adhan of Khutbah on Friday.
📖 Evidence
This ruling is proven from Sahih al-Bukhari under the chapter “Bab al-Adhan ‘inda al-Khutbah”:
((عن الزهرى قال سمعت السائب بن يزيديقول ان الاذان يوم الجمعة كان اوله حين يجلس الامام يوم الجمعة علي المنبر فى عهدرسول الله صلي الله عليه وسلم وابى بكروعمررضى الله عنه كان فى خلافته عثمان رضى الله عنه وكثرهاامرعثمان يوم الجمعة بلاذان الثالث فاذن على الزوراء فشت الامرعلى ذلك.))
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Jumu‘ah, Bab al-Adhan Yawm al-Jumu‘ah)
Hazrat Imam Zuhri reports from Hazrat Sa’ib bin Yazid (a young Companion) who said:
“In the time of Rasulullah ﷺ, Abu Bakr, and Umar (رضي الله عنهم), the Adhan on Friday used to be given when the Imam sat on the pulpit. When the era of Uthman (رضي الله عنه) came and the number of people increased, he ordered a third Adhan (i.e., apart from the one at Khutbah and the Iqamah). This Adhan was given at a place called Zawra, and the practice spread accordingly.”
📌 Continuity of Practice
In Sunan al-Kubra of al-Bayhaqi, additional wording is found:
“حتى الساعة“
“Until this very time.”
This indicates that this practice was not restricted to the era of Uthman (رضي الله عنه), but it continued after him as well, and no one objected to it.
📌 Consensus of the Companions
This Hadith proves:
◈ Hazrat Uthman (رضي الله عنه) introduced the third Adhan with the agreement of the Sahabah.
◈ None of the Khulafa Rashideen or other Sahabah opposed it.
◈ Thus, this establishes the Ijma‘ (consensus) of the Companions, as indicated by the words “فثبت الأمر على ذلك حتى الساعة”.
📌 Practice of Other Caliphs
◈ Hazrat Ali (رضي الله عنه) did not change this practice during his Khilafah.
◈ It continued in the era of Mu‘awiyah (رضي الله عنه) as well.
Imam Zuhri (born after 50 AH) did not live during Ali and Mu‘awiyah’s rule, but he narrated directly from Sa’ib bin Yazid (رضي الله عنه), who witnessed this practice himself. Sa’ib bin Yazid passed away in 91 AH, and confirmed that the practice of the third Adhan was still in place during his lifetime.
📖 Important Hadith
((فعليكم بسنتى وسنة الخلفاءالراشدين المهديين.))
(Abu Dawud, Kitab al-Sunnah, Bab fi Luzum al-Sunnah, Hadith 4607)
“Hold fast to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Caliphs.”
📌 Both Practices are Correct
◈ In the era of Rasulullah ﷺ, there was no Adhan before the Khutbah.
◈ Therefore, if any Masjid does not give the additional Adhan, it is also permissible and no criticism should be made.
◈ If a Masjid gives the third Adhan, that too is correct, being the practice of Uthman (رضي الله عنه) and upheld by Ijma‘ of Sahabah.
◈ Both practices are valid and acceptable. Criticizing either is unjust.
📌 Why Adhan at Zawra?
Hazrat Uthman (رضي الله عنه) introduced this Adhan at Zawra to:
✔ Notify people that the time of Khutbah and Salah was near.
✔ Ensure people gathered in time for Jumu‘ah.
In today’s era, there is no requirement for a specific place like Zawra. The Adhan may be given:
◈ From the mosque’s minaret,
◈ From a raised spot inside the mosque,
◈ Or near a loudspeaker.
The objective is simply to ensure the sound reaches the people.
✅ Conclusion
◈ Giving the third Adhan before the Friday Khutbah is a Sunnah of the Khulafa Rashideen, established by the consensus of the Companions.
◈ Acting upon it is valid, and leaving it is also within the allowance of Shariah.
◈ Criticism on either side is impermissible.
ھذا ما عندی واللہ أعلم بالصواب
