Ever wonder what is the athan, the purpose of the athan and the meaning of words that are recited during the athan?
Athan is the Muslim call to prayer. athan means "to listen, to hear, and be informed about." Athan serves as an alert that obligatory prayer is about to begin. Five times a day Muslims are encouraged to interrupt their daily activities; leave behind matters of the world and come to Allah. Drawing close to Allah results in success as it allows the believer to deepen their connection and love through the worship and remembrance of Allah. Muslims believe that the first matter they will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of their deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad, (Al-Albani). The performance of prayer five times a day is considered vital to attain success in this life and the hereafter.
The athan begins with the declaration of Allah’s sovereignty and power. Acknowledging there is nothing that compares to Him and nothing that is greater than Him. Then comes the Shahadah (admission of faith), which consists of the proclamation of the Unity of Allah (God), the negation of shirk (belief in more than one God or any other God), and the confirmation that Muhammad (peace and blessings be on him) is the Messenger of Allah. And after that, comes the call to the Prayer and to success. Each line is repeated for emphasis.
Meaning of the words recited during Athan:
- Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. (Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest)
- Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. (Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest)
- Ash-hadu alla ilaha illa-llah. (I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah)
- Ash-hadu alla ilaha illa-llah. (I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah)
- Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasulullah. (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah)
- Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasulullah. (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah)
- Hayya ‘ala-s-Salah, hayya ‘ala-s-Salah. (Hurry to the Prayer, hurry to the Prayer)
- Hayya ‘ala-l-falah, hayya ‘ala-l-falah. (Hurry to real success, hurry to real success)
- Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. (Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest)
- La ilaha illa-llah. (There is none worthy of worship but Allah)
Unless we live in a Muslim country or a country that has granted permission for public athans, we most likely do not have the pleasure of hearing the Athan in our homes. Having an Athan clock in homes and offices is a good way to ensure that the athan times are announced regularly; allowing the opportunity to connect to our Lord. And for this reason and many others, the Athan Frame (The Next Generation Athan Clock) is a must-have for any Muslim household.
