What to Do when You Hear the Adhaan?

by Asma bint Shameem

1. Repeat after the Mu’adhdhin

Stay focused on the adhaan and repeat exactly what the Mu’adhdhin says except for when he says “hayya alas-salaah”and “hayya-ala-falaah”.

Instead say “La Hawla wa laa quwwata illaa Billaah”

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“When the Mu’adhdhin says “Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar,” and one of you says, “Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar”; then he says, “Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illa Allaah“

(I bear witness that there is no god except Allaah”

and you say “Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illa Allaah”;

then he says, “Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasool Allaah (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah” and you say, “Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasool Allaah”; then he says, “Hayyaa `alal-salaah (come to prayer)” and you say, “Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illaa Billaah”;

then he says, “Hayyaa `alal-falaah (come to success)” and you say, “Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illaa Billaah”;

then he says “Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar,” and you say, “Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar”; then he says “Laa ilaaha illaa Allaah” and you say, “Laa ilaaha illa Allaah” – if he says that from the heart, he will enter Paradise.” (Saheeh Muslim 578)

“From the heart” means being focused on the adhaan and repeating the words sincerely while reflecting on the meanings.

2. Then say the following:

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Anyone who, when he hears the mu'adhdhin, says

‎و أنا أشْهَدُ أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريكَ لهُ , و أن محمداً عبدُهُ ورسوله ، رضيت بالله رباً ، وبمحمد رسولاً ، وبالإسلام ديناً

'I testify that there is no god but Allaah alone with no partner and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. I am pleased with Allaah as a Lord, with Muhammad as a Messenger, and Islaam as a deen,' will have his sins forgiven." (Muslim 386)

Some scholars said that we should say this dhikr when the Mu’adhdhin says the shahaadah and some scholars are of the opinion that we should say it after the adhaan.

Both ways are okay.

3. After the adhaan send salaah Ibraaheemiyah (durood) on the Prophet ﷺ and say the Duaa’ of waseelah.

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“When you hear the Mu’adhdhin (caller to prayer), repeat what he says and then send blessings upon me.

Verily, whoever sends blessings upon me, Allaah will send blessings upon him ten times.

Then, ask Allaah to grant me al-waseelah (the means of nearness), for it is a station in Paradise not befitting but for one servant among the servants of Allaah.

I hope I am that one servant. Whoever asks Allaah to grant me al-waseelah (the means of nearness), the intercession is permitted for him.”

(Saheeh Muslim 384)

🍃 And he ﷺ said:

“Whoever hears the adhaan and says:

‎اللهم رب هذه الدعوة التامة والصلاة القائمة آت محمدا الوسيلة والفضيلة وابعثه مقاما محمودا الذي وعدته

‘Allaahumma Rabba hadhihi’l-da’wat il-tammah wa’l-salat il-qaimah, ati Muhammadan il waseelata wa’l-fadeelah, wab’athhu maqaman mahmoodan illadhi wa’adtah

‘O Allaah, Lord of this perfect call and the prayer to be offered, grant Muhammad the privilege (of intercession) and also the eminence, and resurrect him to the praised position that You have promised’,

my intercession for him will be permitted on the Day of Resurrection.”

(al-Bukhaari 614)


4. Make Duaa between the adhaan and Iqaamah.

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Duaa is not rejected between the adhaan and iqaamah, so engage in duaa (supplication).”

(al-Tirmidhi; saheeh by al-Albaani)

📌 IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE:

🔺It is RECOMMENDED to respond to the Mu’adhdhin.

It is NOT fardh.

🔺There’s NO PROOF that one must stop doing everything and stop dead in their tracks and respond to the adhaan; otherwise the person will be “deprived” of saying “Laa Ilaaha IllAllaah” at the time of death.

That is absolutely baseless.

🔺 There’s NO PROOF of “covering the head” with your scarf or dupatta on hearing the adhaan or saying “jalli shaanohu” or any other Duaa or dhikr except for what is reported in the authentic Ahaadeeth mentioned above.

The only time a woman is required to cover her head (and the rest of her body) is when she is in front of non mahrams.

And Allaah knows best.