the time for the prayer. This concession is unique to the dawn prayer; for all other prayers it is impermissible to call the adhan before the appointed time. The jurists have differed regarding the first adhan of Fajr: is it sufficient, or must there be a second adhan when the time actually begins? The majority of scholars maintain that the first adhan is legislated but does not suffice on its own.
Legal rulings derived from the ḥadith
- It is permissible to give the adhan for the dawn prayer before its time enters.
- A single mosque may appoint two mu’adhdhins, each with a known time for his call.
- A blind person may serve as mu’adhdhin and be relied upon, for Ibn Umm Maktum was blind.
- It is recommended to alert the inhabitants of a town or neighborhood to the forthcoming adhan before the break of dawn so that they are fully aware.
- A second mu’adhdhin should give the adhan at the actual appearance of dawn.
- It is recommended that anyone intending to fast continue eating and drinking until the onset of true dawn and not refrain earlier. The command in the words, “So eat and drink,” is permissive, informing us that the time for the pre-dawn meal extends to that point, as will be discussed, God willing.
- It is lawful to act upon the report of a single trustworthy narrator.
The fourth ḥadith
On the authority of Abū Saʿīd al-Khuḍrī (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “When you hear the mu’adhdhin, say what he says.”
Overall meaning
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ instructed: When you hear the call to prayer, respond by repeating the very words the mu’adhdhin utters. When he pronounces the takbīr, pronounce it after him; when he recites the twin testimonies of faith, recite them after him. By doing so you will obtain a reward equal to what the mu’adhdhin gains from giving the call, for Allah is vast in generosity and responsive to supplication.
Legal rulings derived from the ḥadith
- It is prescribed—by consensus of the scholars—to answer the mu’adhdhin by repeating his words.
- The respondent should speak after the mu’adhdhin has completed each phrase, for the Prophet said, “then say,” because