The Prescribed Method of Adhan and Iqamah

Written by: Hafiz Zubair Ali Zai

Sayyidina Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:

“Bilal was instructed to say the Adhan in pairs and the Iqamah in odd numbers, except for the phrase 'قَدْ قَامَتِ الصَّلَاةُ' which should be said twice.”

[Sahih Bukhari: 1/85, Hadith 605; Sahih Muslim: 1/164, Hadith 378]

In another chain of this Hadith, it is mentioned:

“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) instructed Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him).”

[Sunan an-Nasa'i with Hashiya al-Sindhi: Vol. 1, p. 103, Hadith 628]

Benefit 1:

From this Hadith, it is understood that the words of Adhan are as follows:

Adhan:

الله أكبر الله أكبر، الله أكبر الله أكبر
أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله، أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله
أشهد أن محمدا رسول الله، أشهد أن محمدا رسول الله
حي على الصلوٰة، حي على الصلوٰة
حي على الفلاح، حي على الفلاح
الله أكبر الله أكبر
لا إلٰه إلا الله​

Iqamah:

الله أكبر الله أكبر
أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله
أشهد أن محمدا رسول الله
حي على الصلوٰة
حي على الفلاح
قد قامت الصلوٰة، قد قامت الصلوٰة
الله أكبر الله أكبر
لا إلٰه إلا الله​

Benefit 2:

❀ In a narration from Musannaf Abd al-Razzaq, it is mentioned: "Indeed, Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say the Adhan and Iqamah in pairs."

However, this Hadith is weak in terms of its chain.

① The narrator, Ibrahim al-Nakha'i, is known for tadlis (concealing defects in the chain). [Kitab al-Mudallisin by al-Iraqi, p. 24, 35; Asma' al-Mudallisin by al-Suyuti, p. 93]

This narration is with 'an' (عن), and the narration of a mudallis with 'an' is considered weak by hadith scholars, including Deobandis and Barelvis. [See Khazain al-Sunan: 1/1; Fatawa Rizawiyyah: 5/245, 266]

② The second narrator, Hammad bin Abi Sulayman, is also known for tadlis and ikhtilat (confusion in memory). [Tabqat al-Mudallisin with my research: 2/45]

◈ Hafiz Haythami said:“Hammad's narrations are only accepted if narrated by his early students: Shu'bah, Sufyan al-Thawri, and (Hisham) al-Dustawai. Others narrated from him after his memory became confused.” [Majma' al-Zawaid 1/119, 120]

Therefore, Ma'mar's narration from Hammad is weak, and the issue of explicit hearing (sima') is separate.

Benefit 3:

❀ In the narration of Abu Mahdhurah (may Allah be pleased with him), it is mentioned that the Iqamah was said in pairs, and the Adhan was also said in pairs, meaning four times for "أشهد أن لا إلٰه إلا الله" and four times for "أشهد أن محمدا رسول الله". [Sunan Abi Dawud: 502; and it is authentic]

Following this method is correct, otherwise, taking the Iqamah from this Hadith and the Adhan from the Hadith of Bilal is highly unjust.

Benefit 4:

Only those who are granted the ability by Allah can truly follow the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him); otherwise, it is impossible. You will notice that those who say the Iqamah in pairs never say the Adhan in pairs. It is unclear what aversion they have to following the Sunnah. May Allah grant us the ability to follow the Sunnah. Ameen.
 
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