3/1. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 707 — Adhan and Fajr Call
How The Adhan Began
Hadith About Adhan and Fajr Prayer Call
Sunan Ibn Majah : 707
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 707
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ خَالِدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْوَاسِطِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ سَالِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ اسْتَشَارَ النَّاسَ لِمَا يُهِمُّهُمْ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ فَذَكَرُوا الْبُوقَ فَكَرِهَهُ مِنْ أَجْلِ الْيَهُودِ ثُمَّ ذَكَرُوا النَّاقُوسَ فَكَرِهَهُ مِنْ أَجْلِ النَّصَارَى فَأُرِيَ النِّدَاءَ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ يُقَالُ لَهُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ زَيْدٍ وَعُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ فَطَرَقَ الأَنْصَارِيُّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ لَيْلاً فَأَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ بِلاَلاً بِهِ فَأَذَّنَ . قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ وَزَادَ بِلاَلٌ فِي نِدَاءِ صَلاَةِ الْغَدَاةِ الصَّلاَةُ خَيْرٌ مِنَ النَّوْمِ فَأَقَرَّهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ . قَالَ عُمَرُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَدْ رَأَيْتُ مِثْلَ الَّذِي رَأَى وَلَكِنَّهُ سَبَقَنِي .
Salim Narrated from:
The Prophet consulted the people as to how he could call them to the prayer. They suggested a horn, but he disliked that because of the Jews (because the Jews used a horn). Then they suggested a bell but he disliked that because of the Christians (because the Christians used a bell). Then that night the call to the prayer was shown in a dream to a man among the Ansar whose name was 'Abdullah bin Zaid, and to 'Umar bin Khattab. The Ansari man came to the Messenger of Allah at night, and the Messenger of Allah commanded Bilal to give the call to the prayer.(Da'if) Zuhri said: "Bilal added the phrase "As-salatu khairum minan-nawm (the prayer is better than sleep)" to the call for the morning prayer, and the Messenger of Allah approved of that." 'Umar said: "O Messenger of Allah, I saw the same as he did, but he beat me to it."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 707In-book reference : Book 3, Hadith 2English translation : Vol. 1, Book 3, Hadith 707
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 707
This hadith about Adhan and Fajr prayer call describes consultation about how to call people to prayer. The Prophet asked the people about a way to gather them for Salah. A horn was mentioned, but he disliked it because of the Jews. A bell was mentioned, but he disliked it because of the Christians. Then the call to prayer was shown in a dream to Abdullah bin Zaid and Umar bin Khattab. The Ansari man came at night, and the Prophet commanded Bilal to give the Adhan. The narration also says Bilal added the phrase As-salatu khairum minan-nawm for the morning prayer, and the Prophet approved it. The translation labels this report as Daif, so the explanation stays within the wording given.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet consulted people about the call to prayer.
- The horn and bell were disliked in this narration for stated reasons.
- The call to prayer was shown in a dream to Abdullah bin Zaid and Umar.
- The phrase for Fajr prayer was approved in the wording of this report.
