The Call to Prayer and the Establishment of Prayer and the Reward of the Muezzins

Hadith.864 - Hafs ibn al-Bakhtari narrate from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) : "When the Messenger of Allah (sw) was taken on the night journey (Isra'), the time for prayer arrived, and Archangel Jibril (as) called the adhan (call to prayer). When He said 'Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar' (Allah (swt) is the Greatest, Allah (swt) is the Greatest), the angels said 'Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.' When He said 'Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah (swt)' (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah (swt)), the angels said: 'He has renounced rivals (associating others with Allah (swt)).' When He said 'Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah' (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (sw)), the angels said: 'A Prophet has been sent.' When He said 'Hayya 'ala as-Salah' (Come to prayer), the angels said: 'He calls to the worship of his Lord (azj).' When He said 'Hayya 'ala al-Falah' (Come to success), the angels said: 'Success is for the one who follows him.'".

"Archangel Jibril (as) descended with the adhan (call to prayer) upon Messenger of Allah (sw) while his head was resting in the lap of Imam Ali (as). Archangel Jibril (as) pronounced the adhan and the iqamah (second call to prayer). When the Messenger of Allah (sw) awoke, He said: 'O’ Ali, did you hear?' Imam (as) replied: 'Yes, O’ Messenger of Allah (sw).' He (sw) said: 'Did you memorize it?' Imam (as) replied: 'Yes.' The Prophet (sw) then said: 'Call Bilal and teach him,' So Imam Ali (as) called Bilal and taught him."

"You may give the adhan (call to prayer) without being in a state of wudu (ritual purity), wearing a single garment, whether standing or sitting, and in any direction you face. However, when you perform the iqamah (second call to prayer), you must be in a state of wudu, prepared for the prayer."

"A man may give the adhan (call to prayer) while sitting or while riding."

"There is no issue if you give the adhan (call to prayer) while riding, walking, or without wudu (ritual purity). However, do not perform the iqamah (second call to prayer) while riding or sitting, unless there is an excuse, or if you are on slippery ground”.

Hadith.869 - The Messenger of Allah (sw) said: "The mu'adhdhin (caller to prayer) has a reward between the adhan and the iqamah equal to that of a martyr who is drenched in his blood in the way of Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic." Imam Ali (as) said: "People will compete over the adhan." The Prophet replied: "No, there will come a time when people will leave the adhan to their weak ones. These (mu'adhdhins) are people whose flesh Allah (swt) has forbidden for the Fire”.

Hadith.870 - Imam Ali (as) said: "The last thing my beloved (the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said to me before parting was: 'O’ Ali, when you lead the prayer, lead it considering the weakest among those behind you. And do not appoint a mu'adhdhin who takes payment for his adhan.'"

"The takbir (saying 'Allahu Akbar') in the adhan must be pronounced firmly, with clear articulation of the 'ha' and 'alif'“.

'I will not call the adhan for anyone after the Messenger of Allah (sw).' Therefore, on that day, 'Hayya 'ala khayr al-'Amal' (Hasten to the best of deeds) was left out."

Hadith.873 - Al-Hasan ibn al-Sari reported from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) that He said: "It is part of the Sunnah (tradition) for a person giving the adhan (call to prayer) to place his fingers in his ears."

"The adhan and the iqamah must be recited with firmness." In another narration, it states, "They must be delivered with a pause."

"The adhan is not sufficient for you unless you hear it yourself or understand it. Clearly articulate the 'alif' and 'ha'." Send blessings upon the Prophet and his family (as) whenever you mention him or hear someone mention him, whether during the adhan or outside of it. The louder your voice, without straining yourself, the more people will hear, and your reward will be greater."

Hadith.876 - Muawiya ibn Wahb asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about the adhan (call to prayer). The Imam said: "Raise your voice and speak loudly when giving the adhan. When performing the iqamah (second call to prayer), use a slightly lower voice. Do not delay your adhan and iqamah except until the time for prayer has arrived, and recite the iqamah quickly (with fluidity)."

"When you stand for a mandatory prayer, give the adhan and the iqamah, and separate between the adhan and the iqamah with sitting, speaking, or tasbih (glorification of Allah (swt))." He (Ammar) asked: "What is the minimum that suffices between the adhan and the iqamah in terms of speech?" Imam (as) replied: "Saying 'Alhamdulillah' (All praise belongs to Allah (swt))."

Hadith.878 - Muhammad ibn Muslim asked Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) about a man who gives the adhan (call to prayer) while walking, while not in a state of ritual purity, or while riding an animal. The Imam said: "Yes, it is permissible if the one giving the testimony of faith (in the adhan) faces the Qiblah; there is no issue."

"When the iqamah (second call to prayer) is pronounced, speaking becomes prohibited for the Imam and the people of the mosque, except in the case of appointing an Imam."

Hadith.880 - Imam Ali (as) said that the Messenger of Allah (sw) said: "The one who leads you in prayer should be the one who has the most knowledge of the Qur'an among you, and the one who calls the adhan (mu'adhdhin) should be the best among you." In another narration, it is said: "the most articulate among you."

Hadith.881 - The Messenger, and his family, said: "Whoever calls the adhan (call to prayer) in one of the cities of the Muslims for a year, Paradise becomes obligatory for him."

Hadith.882 - Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) said: "For the mu'adhdhin (caller to prayer), Allah (swt) forgives him as far as his sight and voice reach into the sky. Every moist and dry thing that hears him bears witness to his truth. For every person who prays with him in his mosque, he receives a share, and for every person who prays due to hearing his call, he earns a good deed."

Hadith.883 - Imam (as) said: "Whoever calls the adhan (call to prayer) for seven years with the intention of seeking Allah’s (swt) reward will come on the Day of Judgment without any sins."

Hadith.884 - It is narrated: "When the angels hear the adhan (call to prayer) from the people of the earth, they say, 'These are the voices of the nation of Muhammad (sw) declaring the oneness of Allah (swt).' They then seek forgiveness from Allah (swt) for the nation of Muhammad until the prayer is completed."

"The minimum that suffices for the adhan is to begin the night with an adhan and iqamah and to begin the day with an adhan and iqamah. For the other prayers during the day, an iqamah without an adhan suffices."

"The Messenger of Allah (sw) combined the Dhuhr (noon) and 'Asr (afternoon) prayers with one adhan and two iqamah, and he combined the Maghrib (sunset) and 'Isha (night) prayers in the same setting without any particular reason, using one adhan and two iqamah”.

Hadith.887 - It is narrated: "Whoever prays with both the adhan (call to prayer) and iqamah (second call to prayer), two rows of angels pray behind him. And whoever prays with just the iqamah without the adhan, one row of angels prays behind him, and the extent of the row is from the east to the west."

Hadith.888 - In the narration of Abbas ibn Hilal from Abu Al-Hasan Imam al-Ridha (as) said: "Whoever gives the adhan (call to prayer) and the iqamah (second call to prayer) will have two rows of angels praying behind him. If he only recites the iqamah without the adhan, then one angel will pray on his right and one on his left." The Imam then said: "Take advantage of the two rows (of angels)."

Hadith.890 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "Whoever, upon hearing the adhan for Fajr (morning prayer), says: 'O’ Allah (swt), I ask You by the coming of Your day and the departure of Your night, and by the presence of Your prayers and the voices of Your callers, that You accept my repentance. Indeed, You are the Most Accepting of Repentance, the Most Merciful,' and then says a similar supplication upon hearing the adhan for Maghrib (evening prayer), and dies during that day or night, dies in a state of repentance." He also mentioned that Ibn al-Nabbah used to say during his adhan, "Hayya 'ala khayr al-'Amal (Hasten to the best of deeds), hasten to the best of deeds," and whenever Imam Ali (as) would see him, he would say, "Welcome, O’ caller of justice, and welcome to prayer."

"Whoever hears the mu'adhdhin (caller to prayer) say, 'I bear witness that there is no god but Allah (swt), and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (sw),' and then, affirming and seeking reward, responds with 'And I also bear witness that there is no god but Allah (swt), and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (sw). I suffice myself with these testimonies against anyone who denies or rejects, and I support with them anyone who affirms and bears witness,' will receive a reward equivalent to the number of those who deny and reject and the number of those who affirm and bear witness."

Hadith.892 - Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) said to Muhammad ibn Muslim: "O’ Muhammad ibn Muslim, never neglect the remembrance of Allah (swt) in any situation. Even if you hear the caller calling the adhan while you are in a state of relieving yourself, remember Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, and say what the mu'adhdhin says."

Hadith.893 - Zaid al-Shahham asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about a man who forgot the adhan (call to prayer) and iqamah (second call to prayer) and began the prayer. The Imam said: "If he remembers before reciting (the Qur'an in prayer), he should send blessings upon the Prophet and his family and then recite the iqamah. But if he has already started reciting, then he should complete his prayer”.

"Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) was asked about a man who forgot a word during the adhan (call to prayer) and remembered it after completing the adhan and iqamah (second call to prayer). The Imam said: "He should go back to the word he forgot, say it, and then continue from that point to the end. He does not need to repeat the entire adhan or the iqamah."

Hadith.895 - Muawiya ibn Wahb asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about the practice of "tathwib" (additional announcements or calls made between the adhan and the iqamah). Imam (as) replied: "We do not recognize it”.

Hadith.896 - Imam Ali (as) used to say: "There is no issue if a boy calls the adhan (call to prayer) before reaching the age of puberty, and there is no issue if the mu'adhdhin (caller to prayer) is in a state of janabah (major ritual impurity), but he should not perform the iqamah (second call to prayer) until he has performed ghusl (ritual purification)."

"Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar (Allah (swt) is the Greatest, repeated four times). I bear witness that there is no god but Allah (swt) (twice). I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (sw) (twice). Hasten to prayer (twice). Hasten to success (twice). Hasten to the best of deeds (twice). Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. There is no god but Allah (swt) (twice)." The iqamah is the same.

Hadith.898 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said regarding the mu'adhdhins (callers to prayer): "They are the trustworthy ones”.

Hadith.899 - Imam (as) said: "Pray the Jumu'ah (Jumu’ah prayer) with the adhan of these people, for they are the most diligent in observing the time." [AL SADUQ] There should be a sitting between the adhan and iqamah, except for Maghrib, where it suffices to have only a breath's interval between the adhan and iqamah.

"In travel, the iqamah (second call to prayer) suffices without the adhan (call to prayer)."

"If you give the adhan (call to prayer) on the road or in your home, and then perform the iqamah (second call to prayer) in the mosque, it suffices."

Hadith.902 - Imam Ali (as) would sometimes give the adhan (call to prayer) while someone else would perform the iqamah (second call to prayer), and at other times, he would perform the iqamah after someone else had given the adhan.

Hadith.903 - Hisham ibn Ibrahim complained to Imam al-Ridha (as) about his illness and the fact that he had no children. The Imam advised him to raise his voice with the adhan (call to prayer) in his home. Hisham said: "I did as he advised, and Allah (swt) removed my illness and granted me many children." Muhammad ibn Rashid said: "I was constantly ill, and so were many of my servants and family members, to the extent that there were times when I had no one to serve me. When I heard about what Hisham had done, I followed the same advice, and Allah (swt) removed illness from me and my family. Praise be to Allah (swt)."

Hadith.904 - It is narrated: "Whoever hears the adhan (call to prayer) and repeats what the mu'adhdhin (caller to prayer) says will have an increase in their sustenance."

I asked: "Who is this?" They said: "This is Bilal, the muezzin (caller to prayer) of the Messenger of Allah (sw) and his family." I approached him with my writings and greeted him, saying, "Peace be upon you, O’ Shaykh." He replied: "And peace be upon you." I said: "May Allah (swt) have mercy on you, narrate to me what you heard from the Messenger of Allah (sw) and his family." He asked: "How do you know who I am?" I said: "You are Bilal, the muezzin of the Messenger of Allah (sw) and his family." He wept, and I wept, until people gathered around us as we both cried. Then he asked: "Young man, where are you from?" I said: "From Iraq." He said: "Oh, welcome," and remained silent for a while, then said: "Write, O’ brother from Iraq, 'In the name of Allah (swt), the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.' I heard the Messenger of Allah (sw) and his family, say: 'The muezzins (callers to prayer) are the trusted custodians of the believers concerning their prayers, fasting, their flesh, and blood ; they are granted whatever they ask of Allah (swt), the Majestic and Honorable, and their intercession is accepted.'" I said: "Tell me more, may Allah (swt) have mercy on you." He said: "Write, 'In the name of Allah (swt), the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.' I heard the Messenger of Allah (sw) and his family, say: 'Whoever calls the adhan (prayer call) for forty years with intention and devotion, Allah (swt), the Majestic and Honorable, will raise him on the Day of Resurrection with the reward equivalent to the deeds of forty truthful ones, and their deeds will be accepted and righteous.'" I asked: "Increase me, may Allah (swt) have mercy on you." He said: "Write: 'In the name of Allah (swt), the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.' I heard the Messenger of Allah (sw) and his family, say: 'Whoever calls the adhan for twenty years, Allah (swt), the Majestic and Honorable, will raise him on the Day of Resurrection with light equal to the weight of the sky.'" I asked: "Increase me, may Allah (swt) have mercy on you." He said: "Write: In the name of Allah (swt), the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. I heard the Messenger of Allah (sw) say, 'Whoever calls to prayer for twenty years, Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, will raise him on the Day of Judgment, and he will have light equal to the weight of the sky.'" I asked: "Increase me, may Allah (swt) have mercy on you." He said: "Write: In the name of Allah (swt), the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. I heard the Messenger of Allah (sw) say, 'Whoever calls to prayer for ten years, Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, will place him with Prophet Ibrahim (as) in his station or grade.'" I asked: "Increase me, may Allah (swt) have mercy on you." He said: "Write: In the name of Allah (swt), the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. I heard the Messenger of Allah (sw) say, 'Whoever calls to prayer for one year, Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, will raise him on the Day of Judgment, with all of his sins forgiven, no matter their extent, even if they were as great as the weight of Mount Uhud.'" I asked: "Increase me, may Allah (swt) have mercy on you." He said: "Yes, memorize and act with intention and sincerity. I heard the Messenger of Allah (sw) say, 'Whoever calls to prayer once, for the sake of Allah (swt), with faith, intention, and closeness to Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, Allah (swt) will forgive all of his previous sins and will protect him for the remainder of his life and unite him with the martyrs in Paradise.'" I said: 'Increase me, may Allah (swt) have mercy on you, tell me the best thing you have heard from the Messenger of Allah (sw) and his family.' He cried intensely, causing me to cry out of compassion. He then said: "Write: 'In the name of Allah (swt), the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.' I heard the Messenger of Allah (sw) and his family, say: 'On the Day of Resurrection, when Allah (swt) gathers all people in one place, He will send angels of light to the muezzins with banners and flags of light. They will lead the muezzins on riding animals with reins of green emeralds and saddles filled with fragrant musk. The muezzins will stand atop these mounts, led by the angels, proclaiming the adhan with the loudest of voices.'" He continued crying intensely, and I cried with him. When he stopped, I asked why he wept. He said: "You reminded me of what I heard from my beloved, the Chosen One (as): 'By the One who sent me with the truth as a Prophet, they will pass over the creation while mounted, declaring 'Allahu Akbar.' When they say that, I will hear a resonating cry from my community.'" Usamah bin Zayd asked him, "What is that cry?" He said: "It is the sound of glorification, praise, and the declaration of Allah’s (swt) Oneness. When they say, 'I bear witness that there is no god but Allah (swt),' my community will respond, 'Yes, it was Him we worshiped in the world.' It will be said to them, 'You have spoken the truth.' When they say, 'I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (sw),' my community will say, 'This is the one who brought us the message of our Lord (azj), the Most Glorious and Honorable, and we believed in him without seeing him.' It will be said to them, 'You have spoken the truth. This is the one who conveyed the message to you from your Lord (azj), and you believed in him.' It will then be incumbent upon Allah (swt), the Majestic and Honorable, to unite you with your Prophet and bring you to your abodes, where there is that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and what has never crossed the human heart." He then looked at me and said: "If you can—and 'there is no power except by Allah (swt)'—make sure not to die except as a muezzin (caller to prayer), then do so." I said: "May Allah (swt) have mercy on you; favour me further and narrate to me what you heard from the Messenger of Allah (sw) and his family, for you have seen him while I have not. Describe to me how the Messenger of Allah (sw) and his family, described the structure of Paradise." He said: "Write: 'In the name of Allah (swt), the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.' I heard the Messenger of Allah (sw) and his family, say: 'The walls of Paradise are built with a brick of gold, a brick of silver, and a brick of ruby, with its mortar being pure musk. Its balconies are adorned with red, green, and yellow gems.'" I asked: "What about its gates?" He replied: "Its gates vary; the Gate of Mercy is made of red ruby." I asked: "What about its handle?" He responded, "Desist, for you have burdened me." I insisted, "I will not stop until you convey to me what you heard from the Messenger of Allah (sw)." He continued, "Write: 'In the name of Allah (swt), the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.' 'The Gate of Patience is a small, single red ruby door with no handle, whereas the Gate of Gratitude is made of white ruby and has two doors, with a distance of five hundred years' journey between them, and it echoes with a call, saying, 'O’ Allah (swt), bring me my people.'" I asked: "Do the gates speak?" He replied: "Yes, Allah (swt), the Majestic, grants them speech. As for the Gate of Trials.." I asked: "Is it not the same as the Gate of Patience?" He said: "No." I asked: "What are the trials?" He said: "Calamities, ailments, illnesses, and leprosy, and it is a single yellow ruby door through which few enter." I then asked for further explanation, and He said: "You have truly burdened me." Continuing, he described the greatest gate reserved for the righteous servants, those who are ascetic, abstinent, and deeply connected with Allah (swt), who find comfort in His presence. I asked: "When they enter Paradise, what will they do?" He said: "They will walk along two rivers of clear water in boats made of ruby, with oars of pearls, accompanied by angels of light who wear intensely green garments." I asked: "Can light be green?" He replied: "The garments are green, but they have a radiance from the Light of the Lord (azj) of the worlds, allowing them to traverse the banks of that river." I asked: "What is the name of that river?" He replied: "It is Jannat al-Ma'wa (the Garden of Refuge)." I asked: "Is there anything at its center?" He said: "Yes, the Garden of Eden, which is at the heart of all gardens. Its walls are made of red ruby, and its pebbles are pearls." I asked: "Is there more beyond this?" He said: "Yes, there is the Garden of Firdaus." I asked: "What are its walls made of?" He said: "Stop, for you have overwhelmed my heart." I insisted on hearing more, so he described, "Its walls are made of light." I asked: "What are the chambers within it?" He said: "They are from the Light of the Lord (azj) of the worlds." I said: "Increase me, may Allah (swt) have mercy on you." He said: "Woe unto you, this is where the Messenger of Allah (sw) and his family, left off. Blessed are you if you reach this station and blessed is he who believes in it." I said: "May Allah (swt) have mercy on you; I am indeed among those who believe." He responded, "Woe unto you, indeed, whoever believes in this truth and path will not desire the worldly life or its adornments and will hold themselves accountable." I declared, "I am a believer in this." He affirmed, "You have spoken truthfully, but aim for closeness, strive diligently, and do not despair; act and do not be negligent. Hope and fear, and be wary." He then wept deeply, with great sobbing, until we thought he might have passed away. After composing himself, He said: "May my father and mother be your ransom! If Muhammad (as) and his family, saw you asking about this description, it would bring joy to his heart." He then said: "Hurry, hurry ; make haste, make haste; work, work; beware of negligence and heedlessness." He then asked to be absolved of any shortcomings, and I assured him, asking Allah (swt) to reward him for his efforts and faithfulness. He bade me farewell, advising, "Fear Allah (swt) and deliver to the Ummah of Muhammad (as) and his family, what I have conveyed to you." I assured him I would, Allah (swt) willing. He then entrusted me to Allah (swt), saying, "I leave your faith, trust, and provision in Allah’s (swt) care, and may He aid you in His obedience."

Hadith.906 - Bilal used to call to prayer after the morning (Fajr), and The Prophet (sw) said: "Indeed, Ibn Umm Maktum calls to prayer during the night, so if you hear his adhan, eat and drink until you hear the adhan of Bilal."

"I long to hear the voice of my father's caller to prayer with the adhan." When Bilal heard this, he began to recite the adhan. When he reached "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar," She (Sayyida Fatimah Al-Zahra {S.A}) remembered her father (as) and his days and could not control her tears. When he continued and reached "Ashhadu anna Muhammad Rasul Allah (swt) (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (sw))," Sayyida Fatimah Al-Zahra {S.A} cried out and fell down unconscious. People rushed to Bilal and said: "Stop, O’ Bilal, for the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (sw) has departed from this world." They thought She had passed away. Bilal halted the adhan and did not complete it. When Sayyida Fatimah Al-Zahra {S.A} regained consciousness, She asked Bilal to complete the adhan, but he declined, saying, "O’ mistress of the women, I fear for you what may happen to you when you hear my voice giving the adhan." She then excused him from completing it.

Hadith.908 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "There is no adhan (call to prayer), iqamah (call to commence prayer), Jumu'ah (Jumu’ah prayer), touching of the Black Stone, entry into the Kaaba, or running (between the hills of Safa and Marwa) required for women, nor is shaving (the head during pilgrimage). Rather, they may shorten (cut) their hair."

Hadith.909 - In another report, Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "A woman is not required to perform the adhan (call to prayer) or the iqamah (call to commence prayer) if She hears the adhan of her locality. The two testimonies (shahadatayn) are sufficient for her. However, if She chooses to give the adhan and iqamah, it is better."

Hadith.910 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "If a ghoul appears to you, then perform the adhan (call to prayer)."

Hadith.911 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "When a child is born, the adhan (call to prayer) should be recited in their right ear, and the iqamah (call to commence prayer) in their left ear."

Hadith.912 - Imam (as) said: "Whoever does not eat meat for forty days, their temperament may deteriorate, and if their temperament becomes poor, then recite the adhan (call to prayer) in their ear."

Hadith.913 - Imam (as) said: "The name of the Prophet (sw) used to be repeated in the adhan (call to prayer), and the first one to remove it was Ibn Arwa." It is also reported: "In Medina, when the mu'adhdhin (caller to prayer) would make the adhan on Jumu’ah, a caller would announce that trading was forbidden due to the statement of Allah (swt), the Exalted: 'O’ you who believe, when the call is made for prayer on the day of Jumu’ah, hasten to the remembrance of Allah (swt) and leave off trade.'" (Surah Al-Jumu'ah 62:9)

Hadith.914 – Imam al-Ridha (as) was reported to have said as mentioned by al-Fadl ibn Shadhan (may Allah (swt) have mercy on him): "People were commanded to perform the adhan (call to prayer) for many reasons. Among them is that it serves as a reminder for those who forget, an awakening for the heedless, a means of informing those who are unaware of the prayer time due to being preoccupied, and it makes the mu'adhdhin (caller) a proclaimer of worship to the Creator, encouraging others to it, affirming His Oneness, proclaiming faith, and making Islam known to those who might forget. He is called the 'mu'adhdhin' because he announces the call to prayer. The adhan begins with 'Allahu Akbar' (Allah (swt) is the Greatest) and concludes with 'La ilaha illAllah (swt)' (There is no god but Allah (swt)) because Allah (swt), the Exalted, willed that His Name be mentioned at the beginning and the end. It is repeated in pairs (two-by-two) to ensure that it is heard clearly and emphasized; if one statement is missed, the second will be heard. Furthermore, since the prayer itself is performed in units of two rak'ahs, the adhan was also structured similarly. The initial four takbirs (saying 'Allahu Akbar') serve to alert the listener since it begins abruptly and there is no preceding word to capture attention. Following the takbirs are the two testimonies of faith, as the essence of belief starts with the declaration of Allah’s (swt) Oneness and the acknowledgment of the Prophethood of Muhammad (sw). These two testimonies are linked because faith is rooted in both recognizing Allah (swt) and His Messenger, and just as other legal matters require two witnesses, so does faith in its complete form. The call to prayer is then followed by an invitation to salah (prayer), which is the purpose of the adhan, and a call to success and the best of deeds. Finally, it concludes with the mention of Allah’s (swt) Name, just as it began with His Name."