The Adhan, also spelt Azaan, is the Islamic call to prayer, recited to announce the time for Muslims to perform their obligatory daily prayers. The word comes from the Arabic root adhina, meaning to listen, hear or be informed.
The Adhan is traditionally delivered by a person known as a Muezzin, whose role is to call the faithful to prayer. The Muezzin usually recites it from a mosque’s minaret or prayer area. Today, it is commonly broadcast through loudspeakers so that people in the surrounding neighborhood can hear it.
The Adhan is not only an announcement; it’s a declaration of faith, reminding Muslims of the oneness of Allah and the importance of prayer.
Adhan: English Transliteration and Meaning
The commonly used Sunni version of the Adhan is recited in Arabic as follows:
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah. Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah.
Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah. Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah.
Hayya ‘alas Salah. Hayya ‘alas Salah.
Hayya ‘alal Falah. Hayya ‘alal Falah.
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
La ilaha illallah.
English Translation
- Allahu Akbar: Allah is the Greatest.
- Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah: I bear witness that there is no god but Allah.
- Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah: I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
- Hayya ‘alas Salah: Come to prayer.
- Hayya ‘alal Falah: Come to success.
- Allahu Akbar: Allah is the Greatest.
- La ilaha illallah: There is no god but Allah.
During the early morning call, an additional phrase, As-salatu khayrun min an-nawm, meaning “Prayer is better than sleep”, is recited twice.
Five Daily Islamic Prayers
The Adhan is traditionally called five times a day, corresponding to the five obligatory prayers, known as Salah or Salat.
- Fajr: The early morning prayer, performed at dawn before sunrise.
- Dhuhr: The midday prayer, performed after the sun passes its highest point.
- Asr: The afternoon prayer, performed later in the afternoon.
- Maghrib: The evening prayer, performed immediately after sunset.
- Isha: The night prayer, performed after twilight disappears.
The exact prayer times vary according to geographical location and the position of the sun.
Thus, the Adhan serves as a spiritual reminder throughout the day, calling Muslims away from their daily activities to pause, reflect and reconnect with their faith.
