4/2. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 378b — Adhan as Prayer Time Notice
The Command to say the phrases of the Adhan twice and the phrases of the iqamah once, except the phrase, "Prayer is about to begin," which is to be said twice
Adhan as the Sign for Prayer Time
Sahih Muslim : 378b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 378b
وَحَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْحَنْظَلِيُّ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَهَّابِ الثَّقَفِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ الْحَذَّاءُ، عَنْ أَبِي قِلاَبَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ ذَكَرُوا أَنْ يُعْلِمُوا، وَقْتَ الصَّلاَةِ بِشَىْءٍ يَعْرِفُونَهُ فَذَكَرُوا أَنْ يُنَوِّرُوا نَارًا أَوْ يَضْرِبُوا نَاقُوسًا فَأُمِرَ بِلاَلٌ أَنْ يَشْفَعَ الأَذَانَ وَيُوتِرَ الإِقَامَةَ .
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
They (the Companions) discussed that they should know the timings of prayer by means of something recognized by all. Some of them said that fire should be lighted or a bell should be rung. But Bilal was ordered to repeat the phrases twice in Adhan, and once in Iqama.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 378bIn-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 3USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 737
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 378b
This hadith explains how the Companions discussed a public sign for prayer time. Anas b. Malik reported that they talked about using something people would recognize. Some mentioned lighting a fire or ringing a bell. Then Bilal was ordered to repeat the phrases twice in the Adhan and once in the Iqama. The narration connects the Adhan with a community need: letting people know that it was time for prayer. It also explains the phrase pattern in a simple way. For readers searching for Adhan hadith, Bilal Adhan, or Iqama once, this report gives both the setting and the instruction.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Companions wanted a recognized sign for prayer time.
- Ideas such as fire and bell were mentioned in discussion.
- Bilal was ordered to repeat the Adhan phrases twice and the Iqama once.
