Adhan and AdhkarWhat to Say When Hearing the Adhan and After It
The adhan is a proclamation of tawheed and a call to prayer and success. The guidance of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is that a Muslim should not remain distracted from it. Rather, he repeats after the mu'adhdhin, sends salah upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, asks Allah to grant him al-wasilah, and then supplicates for whatever good he wishes.
This Sunnah is easy, but some unestablished expressions have become mixed with it in common practice. This article therefore explains the authentic words and where each is said in a clear, concise manner.
When You Hear the Adhan
The sequence at a glance1Repeat each phrase after the mu'adhdhin.
2When he says «حَيَّ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ» or «حَيَّ عَلَى الفَلَاحِ», say: «لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ» — “There is no power or might except through Allah.”
3When the Fajr mu'adhdhin says «الصَّلَاةُ خَيْرٌ مِنَ النَّوْمِ», repeat the same phrase: “Prayer is better than sleep.”
4Upon hearing the two testimonies and repeating them, say once: «وَأَنَا أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، رَضِيتُ بِاللَّهِ رَبًّا، وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولًا، وَبِالإِسْلَامِ دِينًا».
5After the adhan ends, send salah upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.
6Then recite the dua of al-wasilah: «اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ، وَالصَّلَاةِ القَائِمَةِ، آتِ مُحَمَّدًا الوَسِيلَةَ وَالفَضِيلَةَ، وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَامًا مَحْمُودًا الَّذِي وَعَدْتَهُ».
7Then ask Allah for whatever good you wish in this world and the Hereafter. The period between the adhan and iqamah is a time in which acceptance of dua is especially hoped for.
Repeating the Adhan Phrase by Phrase
01
Repeat what the mu'adhdhin says
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
«إِذَا سَمِعْتُمُ النِّدَاءَ فَقُولُوا مِثْلَ مَا يَقُولُ المُؤَذِّنُ».“When you hear the call, say what the mu'adhdhin says.”
Agreed upon.
The listener responds as follows:
When the mu'adhdhin says «اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ», say the same: “Allahu Akbar.”
When he says «أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ», repeat it: “I testify that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah.”
When he says «أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ», repeat it: “I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
When he says «حَيَّ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ», say: «لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ» — “There is no power or might except through Allah.”
When he says «حَيَّ عَلَى الفَلَاحِ», say: «لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ» — “There is no power or might except through Allah.”
Then repeat the takbir and tahlil just as the mu'adhdhin says them.
The evidence for saying “La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah” in response to the two calls to prayer and success is the hadith of Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him. It states that whoever answers the phrases of the adhan and sincerely says “There is no power or might except through Allah” at “Come to prayer” and “Come to success” will enter Paradise. Narrated by Muslim.
“There is no power or might except through Allah” means that a servant cannot move from one state to another and has no ability to obey Allah or leave sin except through Allah's help and enabling grace. It is a declaration of reliance upon Allah, not an invitation to abandon action or practical means.
What is said at “Prayer is better than sleep”?
When the Fajr mu'adhdhin says «الصَّلَاةُ خَيْرٌ مِنَ النَّوْمِ» — “Prayer is better than sleep” — the listener repeats the same phrase, based on the Prophet's general instruction to repeat what the mu'adhdhin says.
The response “You have spoken truthfully and righteously” is not established from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and should not be adopted as a prescribed Sunnah response to this phrase.
The Testimony and Contentment with Allah
02
The remembrance said upon hearing the testimonies
After hearing and repeating the two testimonies, it is prescribed to say once:
«وَأَنَا أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، رَضِيتُ بِاللَّهِ رَبًّا، وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولًا، وَبِالإِسْلَامِ دِينًا».“I too testify that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah alone, with no partner, and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. I am pleased with Allah as Lord, Muhammad as Messenger, and Islam as religion.”
Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
«مَنْ قَالَ حِينَ يَسْمَعُ المُؤَذِّنَ: وَأَنَا أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، رَضِيتُ بِاللَّهِ رَبًّا، وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولًا، وَبِالإِسْلَامِ دِينًا؛ غُفِرَ لَهُ ذَنْبُهُ».“Whoever says when hearing the mu'adhdhin, ‘I too testify that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah alone, with no partner, and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. I am pleased with Allah as Lord, Muhammad as Messenger, and Islam as religion,’ his sin will be forgiven.”
Narrated by Muslim.
Another wording in Sahih Muslim is reported without the words “I too,” so both wordings are established.
This remembrance combines tawheed, affirmation that Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is Allah's servant and Messenger, and contentment with Islam as one's religion.
After the Adhan Ends
03
Send salah upon the Prophet
After the mu'adhdhin finishes, the Muslim sends salah upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, using any sound wording. For example:
«اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ».“O Allah, send Your salah and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad.”
The Ibrahimic salah is among the most complete established forms. No single wording is required specifically after the adhan as long as the Muslim sends salah upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in a sound manner.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
«إِذَا سَمِعْتُمُ المُؤَذِّنَ فَقُولُوا مِثْلَ مَا يَقُولُ، ثُمَّ صَلُّوا عَلَيَّ؛ فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ صَلَاةً صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ بِهَا عَشْرًا».“When you hear the mu'adhdhin, repeat what he says, then send salah upon me. Whoever sends one salah upon me, Allah sends ten upon him because of it.”
Narrated by Muslim.
04
The dua of al-wasilah
Then say:
«اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ، وَالصَّلَاةِ القَائِمَةِ، آتِ مُحَمَّدًا الوَسِيلَةَ وَالفَضِيلَةَ، وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَامًا مَحْمُودًا الَّذِي وَعَدْتَهُ».“O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and this prayer to be established, grant Muhammad al-wasilah and al-fadilah, and raise him to the praised station You have promised him.”
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
«مَنْ قَالَ حِينَ يَسْمَعُ النِّدَاءَ: اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ، وَالصَّلَاةِ القَائِمَةِ، آتِ مُحَمَّدًا الوَسِيلَةَ وَالفَضِيلَةَ، وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَامًا مَحْمُودًا الَّذِي وَعَدْتَهُ؛ حَلَّتْ لَهُ شَفَاعَتِي يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ».“Whoever says upon hearing the call, ‘O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and this prayer to be established, grant Muhammad al-wasilah and al-fadilah, and raise him to the praised station You have promised him,’ my intercession will become due for him on the Day of Resurrection.”
Narrated by al-Bukhari.
Al-wasilah is a lofty rank in Paradise appropriate for only one servant of Allah, and the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, hoped to be that servant. Al-fadilah is the additional rank of honor, while the praised station is the station of the great intercession on the Day of Resurrection, for which the earliest and latest generations will praise him.
Asking for al-wasilah is a supplication to Allah to honor His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. It is not a supplication directed to the Prophet or a request made of him. All intercession belongs to Allah, and no one intercedes with Him except by His permission and pleasure.
05
Dua between the adhan and iqamah
After the preceding adhkar, a Muslim asks his Lord for any lawful good he wishes for himself, his parents, his family, and other Muslims.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
«إِنَّ الدُّعَاءَ لَا يُرَدُّ بَيْنَ الأَذَانِ وَالإِقَامَةِ، فَادْعُوا».“Dua is not rejected between the adhan and the iqamah, so supplicate.”
Narrated by Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, and Ahmad, and authenticated by hadith scholars.
There is no single required formula for this dua. Comprehensive requests include asking Allah for forgiveness, guidance, steadfastness, well-being, lawful provision, righteousness of the heart and deeds, Paradise, and protection from the Fire.
Cautions About Unestablished Phrases
The addition “Indeed, You do not break Your promise”
The wording established in Sahih al-Bukhari ends with “which You have promised him.” The addition «إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ المِيعَادَ» — “Indeed, You do not break Your promise” — appears in a narration whose authenticity has been disputed by hadith scholars.
Therefore, the safer course when attributing the post-adhan dua to the Sunnah is to limit oneself to the wording established in Sahih al-Bukhari. A person who says the addition while following scholars who authenticated it should not be condemned, but it should not be presented as a unanimously established part of the wording.
Practices not established as Sunnah
A distinction should be made between an unrestricted permissible dua and a specific ritual practice attributed to the Sunnah. The following are not established:
- Saying “You have spoken truthfully and righteously” as a prescribed response to “Prayer is better than sleep.”
- Adding “and the lofty rank” to the dua of al-wasilah as though it were part of the authentic hadith wording.
- Regularly making a coordinated group dua in one voice after every adhan.
- Kissing the thumbs or wiping the eyes upon hearing the name of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.
- Believing that raising the hands for dua after the adhan is obligatory, or adopting it as an unvarying ritual form.
It is prescribed for a Muslim to make an individual dua after the adhan for whatever good he wishes, without imposing an invented formula or ritual form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question and answerIs responding to the mu'adhdhin obligatory?
According to the majority of scholars, answering the mu'adhdhin is an emphasized Sunnah and is not a condition for the validity of prayer. A person who leaves it misses a great reward, but the prayer remains valid and, according to the majority, the person is not sinful.
Question and answerShould a woman repeat after the mu'adhdhin?
Yes. It is prescribed for a woman to repeat after the mu'adhdhin, send salah upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, recite the dua of al-wasilah, and supplicate between the adhan and iqamah. The basic rule is that the rulings of adhkar include both men and women unless evidence specifies otherwise.
Question and answerWhat should I do if I am reading Quran when the adhan begins?
It is preferable to pause temporarily and answer the mu'adhdhin because the time for answering is brief and ends with the adhan. The reader can then return to the Quran.
Question and answerShould a live broadcast or recording of the adhan be answered?
If the adhan is being transmitted live at its actual time, it is prescribed to answer it. A recording replayed after the adhan has ended is not a current call to prayer and does not take the same ruling, although listening to the words of the adhan is good in itself.
Question and answerWhat if I hear more than one mu'adhdhin?
If several voices overlap at the same time, follow the mu'adhdhin you can hear clearly and do not burden yourself with trying to follow mixed voices. If one mu'adhdhin finishes and you then hear another valid adhan, it is recommended to answer that one as well because the reason for answering, hearing the adhan, has occurred again.
Question and answerHow does someone in the restroom respond?
A person does not verbally remember Allah inside the place used to relieve oneself. If he leaves while the mu'adhdhin is still calling, he responds to what remains. If the adhan ended only shortly before, there is no harm in sending salah upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and reciting the dua of al-wasilah.
Question and answerWhat should someone praying do upon hearing the adhan?
He does not interrupt his prayer or occupy himself with repeating the adhan during it. If he finishes the prayer while the time is still close, there is no harm in sending salah upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and reciting the dua of al-wasilah.
Question and answerShould the iqamah be repeated, and what is said at “The prayer has been established”?
No authentic hadith specifically establishes repeating the iqamah. However, the majority of scholars recommended answering it because the iqamah is called an adhan in some texts. A person following this view repeats its phrases, says “There is no power or might except through Allah” at the two calls, and repeats “The prayer has been established” when it is said. Other scholars did not recommend repeating the iqamah because there is no specific authentic text, so this matter should not become a cause of condemnation.
The narration prescribing “May Allah establish it and perpetuate it” in response to “The prayer has been established” is weak and should not be attributed to the established Sunnah.
Question and answerWhat if someone joins the adhan partway through or misses it?
A person who catches the adhan partway through answers the phrases he hears. Scholars differ about making up the phrases missed at the beginning. One should not condemn a person who begins with what he missed and then follows the mu'adhdhin when able, nor someone who limits himself to what he heard. A person who misses the entire adhan is not sinful because answering is a Sunnah according to the majority, and he does not repeat the whole adhan as a makeup. If he remembers immediately after it ends, there is no harm in sending salah upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, reciting the dua of al-wasilah, and making dua.
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An Easy Sunnah with Great Reward
ConclusionAn easy Sunnah with great reward
Repeating the adhan and the prescribed adhkar afterward takes only a few minutes, yet it gathers tawheed, seeking Allah's help, sending salah upon His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, and asking Allah from His bounty.
A Muslim should listen attentively to the mu'adhdhin and answer with a present heart, then use the time between the adhan and iqamah for dua and preparation for prayer.
