Purpose of the Pre-Fajr Adhan: For Suhoor or Tahajjud?
Source: Ahkam wa Masail – Kitab al-Salat, Vol.1, p.115
Question:
In some communities, people give an Adhan during Suhoor time, which some call the “Tahajjud Adhan.” The question is: was this Adhan meant for Tahajjud or for reminding people about the end of Suhoor? The confusion arises because Ahadith mention two Adhans close together, while today in some places the first Adhan is given an hour or more before Fajr. Please clarify.
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ‘ala Rasulillah, amma ba‘d!
◈ The Name and Status of the Pre-Fajr Adhan
- The Adhan given before Fajr is sometimes called “Suhoor Adhan” and sometimes “Tahajjud Adhan.”
- However, in the authentic Ahadith, no specific name has been assigned to this Adhan.
◈ Clarification from Hadith
In Sahih al-Bukhari, it is reported:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Bilal gives the Adhan at night so that he may awaken those who are asleep and alert those engaged in prayer (Tahajjud) to return and rest.”
(Bukhari, Kitab al-Adhan, Bab al-Adhan Qabl al-Fajr)
This shows:
- Bilal (رضي الله عنه) gave the Adhan at night.
- Its purpose was both to awaken the sleepers and to remind those engaged in Tahajjud.
Another Hadith states:
“Bilal gives the Adhan at night, so continue to eat and drink until Ibn Umm Maktum gives the Adhan.”
(Bukhari & Muslim – Hadith of Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما)
From this narration it is clear that:
- There was a significant gap between the two Adhans.
- The first Adhan (Bilal’s) did not mark the start of Fajr, as people would still eat and drink Suhoor afterwards.
- Ibn Umm Maktum (رضي الله عنه) gave the final Adhan for Fajr at Subh Sadiq.
◈ Understanding the Time Gap
- The gap between the two Adhans was not just a few moments, but long enough for people to continue eating Suhoor.
- However, the Shari‘ah did not define this gap in minutes, and it could vary.
◈ Conclusion
- The pre-Fajr Adhan was meant to awaken people for Tahajjud, worship, and Suhoor.
- Calling it “Tahajjud Adhan” or “Suhoor Adhan” is only a matter of naming; the Shari‘ah has not fixed any title for it.
- The two Adhans had a clear gap, but it cannot be restricted to a specific number of minutes.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
