Among the lessons, too, is that an adhān sounded before the prescribed time is not valid. If a person gives the call ahead of time—even if he utters only the first takbīra—his adhān is invalid and he must repeat it after the time for prayer has begun. The proof is the Prophet’s statement, “When the time for prayer comes in,” and the prayer does not “come in” until its appointed time has started.

From this we also understand that the Prophet’s instruction to Abū Mahdhūrah—“When you give the first adhān at daybreak, say ‘Prayer is better than sleep’ twice”—refers to the adhān that is made after the time of Fajr has entered, for he called it “the first for the Fajr prayer.” This runs contrary to what some people think, namely that he meant the call that takes place before dawn, for the pre-dawn call is not the adhān of the Fajr prayer.

The Messenger ﷺ clarified that the call given before dawn is meant only to wake the sleeper and to have the one already standing in prayer finish. He said, “Bilāl gives the adhān during the night to wake your sleepers and bring back those who are praying. So eat and drink until Ibn Umm Maktūm gives the adhān, for he does not call until dawn breaks.” Thus, in this ḥadīth he made clear that the adhān which is