What is the Athan?

Athan is a call to prayer for Muslims and it is announced every day at the beginning of each prayer time of the five daily prayers. The muezzin (person who calls the athan) makes this call from a high place; traditionally from the top of a house or the roof of the mosque. Nowadays the muezzin calls to prayer by magnification devices, such as microphones, loudspeakers, etc. The first muezzin in Islam was Bilal Ibn Rabah رضي الله عنه.

How Do You Make the Athan? 

Arabic transliteration of the Athan is as follows:

Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! 

Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!

Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah
Ashadu anna Muhammadan Rasool Ullah Ashadu anna Muhammadan Rasool Ullah
Hayya ‘ala-s-Salah. Hayya ‘ala-s-Salah Hayya ‘ala-l-Falah. Hayya ‘ala-l-Falah

Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!
La ilaha illa Allah.

The English translation of the Athan is as follows:

God is Greatest! God is Greatest!
God is Greatest! God is Greatest!
I bear witness that there is no god except the One God.
I bear witness that there is no god except the One God.
I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
Hurry to the prayer. Hurry to the prayer.
Hurry to success. Hurry to success.
God is Greatest! God is Greatest!
There is no god except the One God.

What does the Athan mean?

The word athan means “to listen” in Arabic. Athan is proclaimed to inform the people about prayer times and that they should start preparing for prayer. The second call to prayer is called ‘Iqamah‘ which is done right before prayer begins. This serves to alert the people to line up for prayer as an indication that prayers will begin subsequently.

Who should make the Athan? 

The muezzin is the person who proclaims the athan for the five daily prayers and Friday prayer according to the Islamic religion. To determine who proclaims the athan in the masjid, we should know the muezzin’s qualifications. He must be Muslim, sane, must have a good voice and must be loud. A muezzin must also be a male because it is not permissible for a woman to proclaim the athan.

Narrated by Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنه: When the Muslims arrived at Medina, they used to assemble for the prayer and used to guess the time for it. During those days, the practice of athan for the prayers had not been introduced yet. Once they discussed this problem regarding the call for prayer. Some people suggested the use of a bell like the Christians, others proposed a trumpet like the horn used by the Jews, but `Umar رضي الله عنه was the first to suggest that a man should call (the people) for the prayer; so Allah’s Messenger ﷺ ordered Bilal رضي الله عنه to get up and pronounce the adhan for prayers. (Sahih al-Bukhari)

What is the Time of Each Athan? 

Every salah (prayer) has its own time and athan is proclaimed at the beginning of each salah time. Sulaiman bin Buraidah narrated that his father said: “A man came to the Prophet ﷺ to ask him about the times for salat. So he said: ‘Stay with us, In sha Allah.’ So he ordered Bilalرضي الله عنه to call the iqamah when Fajr began, then he ordered him to call the iqamah when the sun passed its zenith. Then he prayed Dhuhr. Then he ordered him to call the iqamah to pray Asr while the sun was elevated and white. Then he ordered him (to call the iqamah for) Maghrib when the (top) edge of the sun had set. Then he ordered him to call the iqamah for Isha when the horizon (twilight) had vanished. Then he ordered him in the morning (to give the call for Fajr prayer) when the light of Fajr glowed. Then he ordered (him to call the iqamah for) Dhuhr, so he waited well until it had cooled. Then he ordered (him to call the iqamah for) Asr, so he called the iqamah while the sun was later in its position than what it was (the day before). Then he ordered him to delay Maghrib until right before the twilight had disappeared. Then he ordered (him to call the iqamah for) Isha, so he called the iqamah when a third of the night had passed. Then he said: ‘Where is the one who asked about the times for the salah?’ So the man said, ‘It is I.’ So he said: ‘The times [or the salah are what are between these two.'”] [Sahih]

How To Do the Athan Beautifully

The Athan is a beautiful call that connects the heart to the prayer. The muezzin should keep some important things in mind when performing this task. Firstly he should purify his intention (niyyah). Then, purify his body, make ablution and face the qiblah. Taking a few moments to reflect on the task that the muezzin is about to perform will help him concentrate. If needed, he can cover his ears for further concentration. The muezzin should recite the athan slowly but in a clear, melodious and loud voice and pause after each sentence. The muezzin should try listening to reciters  and videos of reciters and muezzins around the globe who have perfected this task to improve his skills.