Prayer is commanded to Muslims five times a day. Adhan is the combination of words used to announce these obligatory times. With the Adhan, the existence of Islam is announced regarding the words in it. Also, the duty of calling to prayer is fulfilled.
According to historical sources, no method was determined for inviting after the prayer became compulsory. Since there is no divine sign or command, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not give any direction. However, since Muslims have difficulty arranging the time of their daily prayers, they faced the need to call for prayer; They offered him options such as bells, fire, or trumpeting. Thereupon, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not accept these offers because bells were the custom of Christians, the fire was the custom of fire worshipers, and trumpet blowing was the custom of Jews.
One night, two friends of Muhammad (PBUH) [1] had the same dream, and when they woke up came to him and told the current words of the Adhan. Thus, Muslims were called to pray for the first time with the Adhan. The sign Muhammad (PBUH) was waiting for the invitation came through his friends and verses also confirm that the Adhan is a call to prayer.[4]
Muhammad (PBUH) recommended reciting the words of the Adhan as well when a person listened to it and gave the good news that those who say it with sincere faith will go to heaven.[5] Adhan is in Arabic. It carries these meanings as content, “Allah is the greatest. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah. I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Let’s pray! Come to salvation! Allah is the greatest. There is no god but Allah.” Besides, for the Fajr (morning) prayer, these words are added like “Prayer is better than sleep.”
Until today, Adhan has been transmitted by reliable sources. Over time, Muslims transformed the Adhan into art and recited it at different times with different musical modes. Today, it continues to recite in the same language, with the exact words, all over the world as it recited on the first day. Due to the world’s rotation, the prayer times in each region coincide with different times, so the call to prayer is always recited somewhere on earth. The language of the Adhan, which is never silent throughout the world, seems to proclaim the majesty of Allah to the entire universe.
[1] Abdullah b. Zayd, Hazrat Umar
[2] Bilal-i Abyssinian
[3] Bukhari, Adhan, 1; Abu Dawud, Salat, 27;
[4] Al-Maaida/58, Al-Jumu’a/9
[5] Nesai, Adhan, 34