and he should also be well-versed in the prayer times so that he gives the call as soon as the time begins.
The adhān consists of fifteen sentences, exactly as Bilāl used to proclaim it in the presence of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ at all times. It is recommended that the mu’adhdhin articulate its phrases at a measured pace, without melodious over-stretching or excessive elongation, pausing after each sentence. He should face the qibla while calling, place his forefingers in his ears—this helps the voice carry farther—and turn to the right when he says, “hayya ʿala al-ṣalāh” (come to prayer) and to the left when he says, “hayya ʿala al-falāḥ” (come to success). After the second “hayya ʿala al-falāḥ” of the dawn adhān alone, he says twice, “al-ṣalāh khayrun min al-nawm” (prayer is better than sleep), in obedience to the Prophet’s instruction, because that is a time when people are usually asleep.
It is impermissible to add any other vocal formulae to the wording of the adhān, whether before it or after it, uttered aloud, for such additions are among the reprehensible innovations (bidʿa). Anything introduced besides the adhān that is authentically established from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is a forbidden innovation—whether it be tasbīḥ (utterances of glorification), chanting, supplications, or loudly invoking blessings upon the Prophet before or after the adhān. All of this is a newly invented matter; performing it is unlawful, and those who do so must be reproved.
The iqāma comprises eleven sentences. It should be delivered briskly so as to complete the notification of those present; there is no need to slow it down. It is recommended that the person who gave the adhān also give the iqāma, yet he is not to begin it without the imam’s permission, for its timing depends on the imam’s discretion and it is not to be performed except at his signal. No part of the adhān may be pronounced before its time, for it was legislated to announce the entrance of the time and would otherwise fail to achieve its purpose and mislead those who hear it—apart from the dawn adhān, which may be given before daybreak so that the people can prepare for the dawn prayer; nevertheless, he should give the adhān