Table of Contents
The Adhan (Azan) is one of the most powerful and recognizable features of Islam. Five times daily, across every continent, its words echo through cities, villages, and deserts — calling believers to prayer.
But how did the Adhan begin?
Who introduced it?
And what spiritual rewards are attached to it?
The story of the Adhan begins in the early days of Islam, shortly after the migration (Hijrah) of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to Madinah.
1. The Search for a Signal
After the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his companions migrated to Madinah in 622 CE, the Muslim community began to grow rapidly.
As congregational prayers became regular, an important question arose:
How should Muslims be informed when it is time for prayer?
The companions gathered and discussed several suggestions:
Bells – like the Christians
Horns – like the Jews
Lighting a fire on a hill
However, the Prophet ﷺ was not satisfied with these options. He did not want Muslims to imitate the religious symbols of other communities. He wanted something unique, meaningful, and rooted in Islamic belief.
2. A Dream That Changed History
During this search, a companion named
Abdullah ibn Zayd
had a remarkable dream.
In his dream, he saw a man dressed in green carrying a bell. Abdullah asked to buy the bell so that it could be used to call people to prayer.
The man replied:
“Shall I not tell you of something better than that?”
He then recited the exact words of the Adhan as we know them today.
The next morning, Abdullah ibn Zayd hurried to the Prophet ﷺ and narrated his dream. The Prophet ﷺ immediately recognized it as a true vision from Allah.
Interestingly, soon after,
Umar ibn al-Khattab
arrived and said that he had seen the same dream.
This confirmed the divine origin of the Adhan.
3. The First Mu’adhin: Bilal ibn Rabah
The Prophet ﷺ instructed Abdullah ibn Zayd to teach the words to
Bilal ibn Rabah,
saying:
“He has a more beautiful and stronger voice than you.”
Bilal ibn Rabah, who had once been enslaved and tortured for declaring “Ahad, Ahad” (One, One), now stood on the highest house near the mosque in Madinah.
With a powerful and emotional voice, he delivered the first Adhan in Islamic history.
His voice echoed through the city. Hearts trembled. The Muslim community officially began its sacred tradition.
This moment symbolized:
The dignity of faith
The equality of believers
The victory of truth over oppression
The Words of the Adhan and Their Meaning
Allahu Akbar (4 times)
Allah is the Greatest
— A declaration that Allah is greater than all worldly matters.
Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah (2 times)
I bear witness that there is no god but Allah
— Affirmation of pure monotheism (Tawheed).
Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah (2 times)
I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
— Acknowledgment of prophethood.
Hayya ‘ala as-Salah (2 times)
Come to prayer
— Invitation to worship.
Hayya ‘ala al-Falah (2 times)
Come to success
— True success lies in obedience to Allah.
Allahu Akbar (2 times)
Allah is the Greatest
La ilaha illallah
There is no god but Allah
Special Addition in Fajr
In the Fajr Adhan, an extra phrase is added:
As-salatu khayrun minan-nawm
Prayer is better than sleep.
This reminds believers to prioritize worship over comfort.
Blessings and Rewards of the Adhan
1. Honor for the Mu’adhin
The Prophet ﷺ said that on the Day of Judgment:
Mu’adhins will have long necks (a sign of honor).
Everything that hears the Adhan will testify for them.
2. Protection from Shaytan
When the Adhan is called, Shaytan runs away in fear, unable to bear its words.
3. Reward for Responding
The Prophet ﷺ taught Muslims to:
Repeat the words after the Mu’adhin.
Send blessings (Durood) upon him afterward.
Make dua for his intercession.
Whoever does so sincerely will gain the Prophet’s intercession on the Day of Judgment.
A Historic Moment in Makkah
After the peaceful conquest of Makkah, Bilal climbed the Kaaba and gave the Adhan there.
For a man once tortured in that very city for his faith, this was a powerful moment of spiritual victory.
Why the Adhan Is Unique
The Adhan is not just a notification.
It is:
A declaration of faith
A public reminder of Tawheed
A call to discipline
A symbol of Muslim unity
For over 1400 years, its words have remained unchanged.
Conclusion
The Adhan began as a divine inspiration during the early days of Islam in Madinah. Confirmed through true dreams and established by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, it was first called by Bilal ibn Rabah, whose voice marked the beginning of a timeless tradition.
Its words declare:
The greatness of Allah
The oneness of God
The prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ
The invitation to prayer
The call to success
The Adhan is not just sound — it is faith echoing across the earth.
