Adhan

You have surely heard this voice rising from the minarets five times a day. The adhan is a special call that invites Muslims to prayer and announces the arrival of prayer time. In its literal meaning, it signifies "to proclaim," "to announce," or "to call." Let us examine together how this important tradition began and what its characteristics are.

How Did the History of the Adhan Begin?

In the early years of Islam, there was no common method to announce the times of prayer. After the Muslims migrated to Medina, various ideas were discussed to determine prayer times. Some suggested ringing bells, others proposed blowing horns, and some recommended lighting fires. However, these methods were rejected because they were associated with other communities. At that time, a companion named Abdullah ibn Zayd reported that he had seen the words of the adhan in a dream. The Prophet indicated that these words were appropriate and asked Bilal al-Habashi to recite them aloud. Thus, the first adhan began to be recited in Medina in the first or second year of the Hijrah.

The Mu’adhdhin and the Minaret

The person who recites the adhan is called a mu’adhdhin. The mu’adhdhins’ voices are preferred to be powerful and melodious. In the past, mu’adhdhins would climb to the highest part of the mosque, the minaret, so their voices could be heard everywhere. The word "mi’zana" itself means "the place from which the adhan is recited," that is, the minaret. Today, loudspeakers are generally used to carry the voice farther.

Adhan (AA)

The Words and Meaning of the Adhan

The adhan consists of specific Arabic phrases recited in a fixed order. These words serve both as a call to prayer and as a summary of Islam’s fundamental principles. The adhan begins with:

• Allahu akbar: God is the greatest (said four times).
• Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah: I bear witness that there is no god but God (said twice).
• Ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasulullah: I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God (said twice).

This is followed by phrases meaning "Come to prayer" and "Come to salvation." In the morning adhan, an additional phrase, "Prayer is better than sleep," is included, distinguishing it from the other daily calls.

The Adhan as an Art

The adhan is not merely a call; it is also an important part of Turkish music. In Türkiye, adhans are recited in different maqams depending on the time of day. For example, the morning adhan is typically recited in the calm and melancholic "Saba" maqam, while the noon adhan is recited in the more joyful "Rast" maqam. As a result, people can recognize the time of day simply by the melody.

Historical Variations

In Türkiye, the adhan was recited in Turkish for approximately 18 years, from 1932 to 1950. During this period, the adhan began with the phrase "God is great." Subsequently, on 16 June 1950, a legal change restored the permissibility of reciting the adhan in its original Arabic form.