Of Azaan (call to Namaaz):
Wa Izaa Naadaietum Ilas Salaah.... 5/58
"And when you say Azaan for Salaat (Namaaz)"
Azaan is a Sunnat-e-Mu’ak-kadah (a tradition ordered by the holy Prophet, (Sallal Laahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) which has to be performed before every five time daily Namaaz and before the Friday (Jum'ah) congregational prayers). Azaan should be said on time. If it is said before time, it should be repeated. Except for the obligatory (fard) Namaaz, there is no Azaan for any other Namaaz. Saying Azaan by women is an absolute taboo (Makrooh Tahreemi). Azaan by a person without ablution will do but it will be odious, so it is better to say Azaan after doing ablution. Azaan should be said standing at an elevated place with the face towards the Qiblah (Ka'bah) and the index fingers of both hands thrust into the ears. It should be said in the following manner:
Al-Laahu Akbar Al-Laahu Akbar (Al-Laah is the Greatest) (Al-Laah is the Greatest)
Al-Laahu Akbar Al-Laahu Akbar (Al-Laah is the Greatest) (Al-Laah is the Greatest)
Ash-hadu Al-Laa Ilaaha Il-lal Laah (I bear witness that there is none worthyof being worshipped except Al-Laah.)
Ash-hadu Al-Laa Ilaaha Il-lal Laah (I bear witness that there is none worthyof being worshipped except Al-Laah.)
Ash-hadu Annah Muhammad-ar Rasoolul Laah (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Al-Laah.)
Ash-hadu Annah Muhammad-ar Rasoolul Laah (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Al-Laah.)
Haiey-ya 'Alas-Salaah (Come to prayers.)
Haiey-ya 'Alas-Salaah (Come to prayers.)
Haiey-ya 'Alal Falaah (Come to success.)
Haiey-ya 'Alal Falaah (Come to success.)
Al-Laahu Akbarul-Laahu Akbar (Al-Laah is the Greatest. Al-Laah is the Greatest)
Laa-ilaaha Il-lal Laah (There is no deity but Al Laah.)
While saying Haiey-ya 'Alas-Salaah, the face should be turned to the right and while saying Haiey-ya 'Alal Falaah it should be turned to the left. If it is for the dawn (Fajr) prayer, then saying As-Salaatu Khaierum-Minan-Naum (Namaaz is better than sleep) twice after Haiey-ya 'Alal Falaah is a Sunnat.
Iqaamat (the announcement that the congregation has stood up):
The words of takbeer or Iqaamat said at the time when the congregation stands up after Azaan are like those of Azaan. But both differ in certain things:
(i) Qad-Qaamatis Salaah (the congregation has stood up) should be said twice after Haiey-ya 'Alal Falaah;
(ii) the voice should be kept low in comparison to Azaan;
(iii) and its wordings should be said at a faster pace than that of Azaan;
(iv) fingers should not be thrust into the ears.
Responding to both Azaan and Iqaamat:
To respond to Azaan and Iqaamat is a desirable practice. Responding means that the listeners repeat the words, which are being said. When saying Ash-hadu An-na Muhammad-ar Rasoolul Laah, one should kiss his thumbs and put the nails of the thumbs to his eyes. The first time he hears it, he should say Sallal Laahu Wa Sallam 'Alaika Yaa Rasoolal Laah, and the second time, say Qur-ratu 'Aienee Bika Yaa Rasoolal Laah and Al-Laa hum-ma Mat-ti'nee Bis-Sam'i Wal Basar. Whosoever does so, the holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) will intercede on his behalf and he will never lose his eyesight. And in response to Haiey-ya 'Alas-Salaah and Haiey-ya Alal Falaah, he should say Laa Haula Wa Laa Quw-wata Il-laa Bil-Laahil 'Aleey-yil 'Azeem.; to As-Salaatu Khaierum-Minan-Naum in the Azaan for dawn (Fajr) prayers say Sadaqta Wa Bararta and in the Iqaamat say Aqaamahal Laahu Wa Adaamaha in response to Qad-Qaa matis-Salaah.
Supplication after Azaan:
After Azaan, the following supplication should be made after first reciting Durood Shareef by the Mu’azzin as well as all the listeners:
Al-Laahum-ma Rab-ba Haazihid Da'watit-taam-mati Was-salaatil Qaa'imati Aati (Saiyyid-naa) Muhammada nil Waseelata Wal Fadeelata Wad-dara jatar-Rafee'ata Wab'as hu Maqaamam-Mahmooda nil-Lazee Wa 'At-tahu Warzuqnaa Shafaa'atahu Yaumal Qiyaamah, Innaka Laa Tukhliful Mee'aad. Birahmatika Yaa Arhamar Raahimeen.
"O Al-Laah, Sovereign of the perfect call and of this standing prayer! Grant to our leader, Hazrat Muhammad (Sallal Laahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam), Waseelah (special station in Paradise) and Fuzeelat (excellence) and the highest rank, and make him stand at the Maquam Mahmood (the praiseworthy position) which You have promised him and make him our intercessor on the Day of Judgement. Of course, You do not do anything against Your promise. Have mercy on us, for You are the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful!"
Important requirements:
It is better for the Mu’azzin (he who calls the Azaan) to stand upright and to avoid all evils, and to call the Azaan with the intent to earn a reward. An Azaan called by a person who is an eunuch or who is a transgressor, or who takes intoxicants, or is insane, or is an innocent child is odious and should be called again. No response is due on women in their monthly periods or when blood has not ceased flowing after childbirth; on those who are listening to the (khutbah) sermon; on those who are in the privy, or are engaged in sex. While Azaan is in progress, one should stop doing all work, including even reciting the Holy Qur'aan; should stop walking if he is doing so and stand still and listen to the Azaan and respond to it. If he hears several voices, then he is obliged to respond to only the first Azaan he hears, but it is better to respond to all of them, if he can.