that the Prophet ﷺ, whenever he intended to travel, would draw lots among his wives; whichever of them was selected by the lot, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would take her with him.” (1)

Moreover, drawing lots resolves disputes and contention, so it is a legally valid means. Whatever method is used for drawing lots is permissible, because no particular procedure for it has been prescribed in the Sacred Law; thus, the matter returns to whatever the parties agree upon.

It consists of fifteen phrases, recited in a measured manner from an elevated place

His statement, “It consists of fifteen phrases, recited in a measured manner from an elevated place”: “It” is a separate pronoun referring to the adhān and functioning as the subject. “Fifteen” is an indeclinable noun, with both parts fixed in the accusative, functioning syntactically as the predicate of the subject. “Phrases” is the specification.

Thus, the opening declaration of Allah’s greatness is uttered four times; the two testimonies, four times; the two calls of “Come to prayer” and “Come to success,” four times; the closing declaration of Allah’s greatness, twice; and the declaration of Allah’s oneness, once. The total is fifteen phrases (2). This is the first condition of the adhān: it must not contain fewer than fifteen phrases. This is the well-known position in the school of Imam Ahmad, though there is scholarly disagreement on the matter. (3)