❖ Appointing a Mu’adhdhin for Adhan Is Legislated in Islam
Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
✦ Linguistic Explanation
The word "Adhan" means "to inform and announce".
It is derived from:
◈ أَذِنَ يُؤَذِّنُ (form II – tafa‘‘ul): meaning "to call to prayer"
◈ آذَنَ يُؤذِنُ (form IV – if‘āl): meaning "to notify or inform"
As the Qur'an states:
وَأَذْنُ فِي النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ [Al-Hajj: 27]
وَأَذَانٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ [At-Tawbah: 2]
References:
Al-Munjid, p. 34; Al-Qāmūs Al-Muḥīṭ, p. 1058; Al-Fiqh al-Islāmi wa Adillatuhu 1/691
✦ Shar‘i Definition
Adhan is:
❝ Announcing the time of prayer using prescribed words. ❞
Sources: Sharh Muslim (Nawawi) 2/311, Nayl al-Awtar 1/492, Tuhfat al-Ahwazi 1/589, Al-Lubab 1/62, Kashshaf al-Qina‘ 1/266
❖ Legitimacy of Appointing a Mu’adhdhin
➊ Qur'anic Evidence
وَإِذَا نَادَيْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ...
[Al-Ma’idah: 58]
“And when you call to prayer…”
➋ Prophetic Instruction
"فَإِذَا حَضَرَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَلْيُؤَذِّنْ لَكُمْ أَحَدُكُمْ"
“When the time for prayer arrives, let one of you call the Adhan.”
[Bukhari 628; Muslim 674; Abu Dawood 589; Tirmidhi 205; Nasa’i 634; Ibn Majah 979]
❖ Beginning of Adhan in Islam
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (رحمه الله), after citing various narrations that suggest Adhan was initiated before Hijrah in Makkah, commented:
"والحق أنه لا يصح شيئ من هذه الأحاديث"
"The truth is, none of these narrations are authentic."
Imam Ibn al-Mundhir (رحمه الله) affirms that:
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) offered prayer in Makkah without Adhan until he migrated to Madinah. Later, when the need arose, the Prophet consulted the companions regarding how to announce the time of prayer. They suggested:
◈ A bell (naqūs)
◈ A trumpet (būq)
◈ Lighting a fire
Then, Hazrat Abdullah bin Zayd bin ‘Abd Rabbah (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated his dream in which the Adhan was revealed, and Hazrat Umar (رضی اللہ عنہ) also confirmed a similar dream.
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) then said:
"يَا بِلَالُ قُمْ فَنَادِ بِالصَّلَاةِ"
"O Bilal! Stand up and call to prayer."
[Bukhari 604; Muslim 377; Tirmidhi 190; Nasa’i 2/2; Ahmad 2/148; Abu Dawood 499; Sahih Abi Dawood 469]
Thereafter, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and his companions consistently practiced Adhan until his passing.
Sources: Fath al-Bari 2/279, Tuhfat al-Ahwazi 1/589, Nayl al-Awtar 1/492, Al-Rawdah al-Nadiyyah 1/215
❖ Ruling on the Obligation of Adhan
The scholars have differed regarding the ruling of Adhan:
✦ View 1: Adhan is
(Madhhab of Ahmad and Malik)
✦ View 2: Adhan is
(Madhhab of Abu Hanifah and Shafi‘i)
Imam Nawawi (رحمه الله) stated: Adhan is Sunnah.
Sources: Bidayat al-Mujtahid 1/103, Al-Muhadhdhab 1/55, Al-Lubab 1/62, Bada’i‘ al-Sana’i‘ 1/146, Al-Durr al-Mukhtar 1/356, Fath al-Qadeer 1/167
✦ Other Views:
◈ Some scholars consider Adhan as Sunnah Mu’akkadah
◈ Others regard it as Fard Kifayah
❖ Evidence Supporting Adhan as an Obligation
➊ Instruction to Hazrat Malik bin Huwayrith (رضی اللہ عنہ):
"فَإِذَا حَضَرَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَلْيُؤَذِّنْ لَكُمْ أَحَدُكُمْ"
“When the time for prayer comes, let one of you call the Adhan.”
[Bukhari 628; Muslim 674; Abu Dawood 589; Tirmidhi 205; Ibn Majah 979; Darimi 1/286; Ahmad 5/53]
➋ Upon Hearing the Dream of Hazrat Abdullah bin Zayd (رضی اللہ عنہ):
"ثم أمر بالتأذين"
“Then the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) ordered for the Adhan to be proclaimed.”
[Hasan: Sahih Abu Dawood 469; Ahmad 4/43; Abu Dawood 499; Ibn Majah 706; ‘Abd al-Razzaq 1787]
➌ Hazrat Anas (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrates:
Whenever the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) would engage in battle with a tribe, he would wait till morning:
"فَإِنْ سَمِعَ أَذَانًا كَفَّ عَنْهُمْ، وَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْمَعْ أَذَانًا أَغَارَ عَلَيْهِمْ"
“If he heard Adhan, he would refrain from attacking; otherwise, he would proceed.”
[Ahmad 3/132; Bukhari 610; Muslim 382; Tirmidhi 1618]
➍ Instruction to Bilal (رضی اللہ عنہ):
"أُمِرَ بِلاَلٌ أَنْ يُشَفِّعَ الْأَذَانَ..."
“Bilal was commanded to give the Adhan in pairs (repeating each phrase twice).”
[Bukhari 605; Muslim 378; Abu Dawood 508; Tirmidhi 1013; Ibn Majah 730; Ahmad 3/103; Darimi 1/270]
❖ Scholarly Endorsements of Its Obligation
◈ Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله): Adhan is Fard (obligatory)
[Majmu‘ al-Fatawa 1/67–68]
◈ Shawkani (رحمه الله):
“There is no doubt about its obligation, and the proofs are as clear as the midday sun.”
[As-Sayl al-Jarrar 1/197]
◈ Siddiq Hasan Khan (رحمه الله):
“The apparent ruling is obligation.”
[Al-Rawdah al-Nadiyyah 1/215]
◈ Albani (رحمه الله):
“The correct view is that Adhan is a Fard Kifayah.”
[Tamam al-Minnah, p. 144]
✔ Summary:
◈ The linguistic and Shar‘i definitions of Adhan show its importance as a call to prayer.◈ The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) formally introduced Adhan in Madinah, and it was divinely inspired.
◈ Qur’anic commands, Prophetic traditions, and the practice of the early Muslims confirm its legitimacy.
◈ Scholars differ on its status, but many endorse it as Fard or Fard Kifayah, especially in congregational contexts.
◈ Appointing a dedicated Mu’adhdhin is established in the Sunnah and represents a vital element of communal worship.
والله أعلم
