❖ Guidance on Giving the Adhan at the Beginning of Time
Giving the Adhan at the beginning time of prayer is a legislated Sunnah, whereas the Iqamah should only be pronounced upon the arrival of the Imam.
Hadith:
Sayyiduna Jabir bin Samurah رضي الله عنه narrates:
“Sayyiduna Bilal رضي الله عنه used to give the Adhan at the time of Zawal (just after the sun passed its zenith), but he would not pronounce the Iqamah until the Prophet ﷺ came out (for prayer). When the Prophet ﷺ would appear, he would then pronounce the Iqamah upon seeing him.”
(Muslim, Al-Masajid, Chapter: When Should People Stand for Prayer, Hadith 606)
✔ The Adhan should be given at the start of the prayer time.
✔ The Iqamah is to be given when the Imam arrives and is ready to lead.
❖ Error in Adhan Due to Sleep
If the Mu’adhin mistakenly gives the Adhan before its time due to sleep, he should acknowledge the error and make a public correction.
Hadith:
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما narrates:
“One day, Sayyiduna Bilal رضي الله عنه gave the Adhan for Fajr before its time (before the appearance of dawn). The Prophet ﷺ said:
‘Go back and announce: Indeed, the servant fell asleep (i.e., erred due to sleep).’”
Sayyiduna Bilal then went back and made the announcement as instructed.
(Abu Dawud, Al-Salat, Chapter: Adhan Before Its Time, Hadith 235)
✔ Mistakes made in Adhan should be publicly corrected.
✔ There is no shame in acknowledging errors made due to natural human limitations like sleep.
❖ The Time Between Adhan and Iqamah is a Time for Accepted Duas
The period after Adhan and before Iqamah is regarded as a time of accepted supplications.
Hadith:
Sayyiduna Mak’hool رضي الله عنه narrates:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
‘Seek the acceptance of du‘a at three moments: when the armies clash, at the time of Iqamah, and when rain falls.’”
(Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah by Al-Albani, Hadith 1649)
Another narration from Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn ‘Amr رضي الله عنه:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to a man:
‘Respond to the Mu’adhin (repeat after him) just as he says, then after you finish repeating, make du‘a, for it will be accepted.’”
(Abu Dawud, Al-Salat, Chapter: What to Say When One Hears the Mu’adhin, Hadith 524; authenticated by Ibn Hibban, Hadith 2592)
Another Hadith:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
‘Du‘a is not rejected between the Adhan and the Iqamah.’”
(Abu Dawud, Hadith 521; Tirmidhi, Al-Salat, Chapter: Du‘a Between Adhan and Iqamah, Hadith 212 – graded Hasan Sahih by Tirmidhi)
✔ Responding to the Adhan and supplicating afterwards is encouraged.
✔ The time between Adhan and Iqamah is among the moments of high acceptance for du‘a.
❖ Giving Adhan at Home During Illness or Epidemic
Some people give Adhan at home during illness or pandemics, but this practice is not established from the Sunnah.
✔ There is no authentic evidence from the Sunnah to support giving Adhan in homes due to illness or epidemics.
✔ All narrations cited to support this practice are considered weak (da‘eef).
