Hadith on the Direction of Adhan
Narrated by Abu Juhaifah (رضي الله عنه):He said:
"I came to the Prophet (ﷺ) in Makkah while he was at Al-Abtah in a red leather tent. In this narration, it is mentioned that:
The Prophet (ﷺ) performed ablution, and Bilal (رضي الله عنه) gave the Adhan. I closely observed him as he turned his face right when saying "Hayya ‘ala as-Salah" and left when saying "Hayya ‘ala al-Falah.""
(Reported by Bukhari: 634, Muslim: 503)
Another narration from Tirmidhi states:"I saw Bilal (رضي الله عنه) giving the Adhan, turning his face to the right and left, placing his fingers in his ears."
Imam Tirmidhi said: "This Hadith is Hasan Sahih (authentic)."
(Reported by Musnad Ahmad: 4/308, Tirmidhi: 197, Mustadrak Hakim: 1/202, Al-Irwa: 1/249, Bukhari: 634, Muslim: 249)
Key Lessons from the Hadith
➊ Facing the Qiblah While Giving Adhan Is Sunnah
- It is recommended (Sunnah) to stand facing the Qiblah when giving Adhan.
- The Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions always faced the Qiblah while calling Adhan.
➋ Turning the Face During ‘Hayya ‘ala as-Salah’ and ‘Hayya ‘ala al-Falah’
- The Mu'adhin should:
- Turn the face to the right when saying "Hayya ‘ala as-Salah"
- Turn the face to the left when saying "Hayya ‘ala al-Falah"
- However, the whole body should not turn, only the face should move slightly.
➌ Giving Adhan While Standing Is the Sunnah
- Adhan should be called while standing.
- Sitting while giving Adhan is not Sunnah, except in the case of a valid excuse (such as illness).
➍ Placing Fingers in the Ears During Adhan
- It is Sunnah for the Mu'adhin to place his index fingers in his ears while giving Adhan.
- Why?
- It increases the clarity and volume of the voice.
- It prevents external distractions, allowing full focus on Adhan.
- It signals others that Adhan is being called, making them attentive.
➎ Observing and Learning From the Mu'adhin
- It is permissible to observe the Mu'adhin closely to learn the correct method of giving Adhan.
- A person can stand near the Mu'adhin while he gives Adhan as long as there is no unnecessary noise or distraction.
Conclusion: Facing the Qiblah While Giving Adhan
Facing the Qiblah while calling Adhan is a Sunnah practice.The Mu'adhin should turn his face slightly to the right for "Hayya ‘ala as-Salah" and to the left for "Hayya ‘ala al-Falah."
Adhan should be given while standing, and fingers should be placed in the ears.
[This content is derived from the book Diya-ul-Islam Fi Sharh al-Ilmam Bi Ahadith al-Ahkam by Sheikh Taqi al-Din Abi al-Fath, translated by Maulana Mahmood Ahmad Ghaznfar.]