Commencement of Adhan — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 2
Introduction
In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding Commencement of Adhan.
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: I – Early Establishment of Madinah and Foundation of the Islamic Government
Pages: Book pp. 15–16 (PDF pp. 39–40)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [Construction of Masjid-e-Nabawi] | Next: [Increase in the Rak‘at of Salat] »
Historical Account
Until now there was no arrangement for a call to Ṣalāt, or Adhān etc. The Companions would generally congregate in the mosque at the approximate time themselves. These state of affairs, however, were not satisfactory. Upon the construction of Masjid-e-Nabawī, the question as to how Muslims would be congregated at the appropriate time was felt even more. One Companion proposed the use of a bell, like the Christians. Someone proposed the use of a trumpet, like the Jews; and others made other suggestions. However, Ḥaḍrat ‘Umarra proposed that an individual be appointed to announce that it is time for Ṣalāt at the appointed time. The Holy Prophetsa approved this proposal, and appointed Ḥaḍrat Bilālra to perform this duty. As such, after this, when the time for Ṣalāt would arrive, Ḥaḍrat Bilālra would announce in a loud voice, 4 ٌ اَلصَّ لوٰةُ جَ امِعَ ةand people would congregate for the Ṣalāt. As a matter of fact, the very same call would be made if it was necessary to congregate the Muslims in the mosque for a purpose other than the Ṣalāt as well. Sometime afterwards, the words of the current Adhān were taught to a Companion named ‘Abdullāh bin Zaid Anṣārīra, in a dream. He presented himself before the Holy Prophetsa and mentioned this dream saying, “I saw an individual in my dream call out such and such words as if calling the Adhān.” The Holy Prophetsa said, “This dream is from Allāh,” and instructed ‘Abdullāhra to teach these words to Bilālra. A strange coincidence was that when Bilālra called out the Adhān in these words for the very first time, upon hearing them, Ḥaḍrat ‘Umarra made haste to the Holy
[Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Adhān, Bābu Bad’il-Adhān, Ḥadīth No. 604]
Prophetsa and said, “O Messenger of Allāh! Today, the words in which Bilālra called out the Adhān were exactly those which I also saw in my dream.” In one narration it has also been related that when the Holy Prophetsa heard these words of the Adhān, he said, “Revelation has already been sent down as such.” Therefore, in this manner, the current method of Adhān commenced. The method which commenced in this manner is so blessed and attractive that no other method can compare to it. In other words, the Unity of God, and the Prophethood of Muḥammadsa, the Messenger of Allāh, is proclaimed five times daily from every mosque, in every village, of every city in the Islāmic world. A summary of Islāmic teachings is conveyed to the people in extremely beautiful and comprehensive words.
[A detailed account can be found in: * Sunanu Abī Dāwūd, Kitābuṣ-Ṣalāh, Bābu Bad’il-Adhān, Ḥadīth No. 498 * Sunanut-Tirmidhī, Kitābuṣ-Ṣalāh, Bābu Mā Jā’a Fī Bad’il-Adhān, Ḥadīth No. 189 * Sunanu Ibni Mājah, Kitābul-Adhān, Bābu Bad’il-Adhān, Ḥadīth No. 706 A brief account can be found in: Al-Muwaṭṭā, By Imām Mālik bin Anas, Kitābuṣ-Ṣalāh, Bābu Mā Jā’a Fīn-Nidā’i Liṣ-Ṣalāh, Ḥadīth No. 149]
[Sharḥul-‘Allāmatiz-Zarqānī ‘Alal-Mawāhibil-Ladunniyyah, By Allāmah Shihābuddīn Al-Qusṭalānī, Volume 2, p. 201, Bābu Bad’il-Adhān, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996)]
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Section: I – Early Establishment of Madinah and Foundation of the Islamic Government | Navigation: « Previous: [Construction of Masjid-e-Nabawi] | Next: [Increase in the Rak‘at of Salat] »