Azan is a special call to prayer in Islam. A muezzin announces the call to prayer through a loudspeaker in the minaret of the mosque to signal the change in prayer times. According to Islam, the call to prayer is also the first sound a newborn baby should hear. You can make the call to prayer in Indonesian, Arabic, or another language which is your primary language.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparation for Calling the Azan
Step 1. Perform Wudu to prepare physically and mentally for prayer
Read the intention to purify yourself for the sake of Allah and then wash your hands. Concentrate your mind in silence, and focus on the purpose of your ablution. After that, purify yourself.
- Gargle three times to get rid of food residue in your mouth. Breathe water into your nose to clear your respiratory tract.
- Wash your face three times: use your hands to irrigate your face from your right ear to your left, and then from the edge of your hair to your chin. Wash the soles of your feet and forearms thoroughly three times each. Clean your head and ears.
- Please note that wudu must be repeated if things happen that invalidate wudu. Wudu is invalid if there is excrement from the body (urine, feces, fart, blood), and if you are fast asleep
Step 2. Facing the Qibla
Qibla is the direction of the location of the Kaaba in Mecca. All Muslims face this direction while praying. There are various map applications that can show the Qibla direction from your location. If possible, stand in a high place, such as a tower, roof, or upstairs window.
Step 3. Read the intent
Take time to concentrate in silence and think about what to do. Think about why you are calling the call to prayer: understand what this moment means for yourself and your faith, as well as for those you are calling.
Step 4. Plug or cover your ears
Plug your ear with your index finger, or cover it completely with your palm. This step is optional, but has become a tradition. Earplugs will help focus your mind and focus on what you're reading.
Part 2 of 3: Calling the Azan
Step 1. Say the reading
Speak slowly, loudly, and clearly. Consider singing the reading, if you can. If you're not sure, listen to how other people say the call to prayer before you try it yourself. Look for videos and recordings of the call to prayer on the internet.
After you as a muezzin say the azan sentence, the congregation (the makmum) will repeat it softly, with one exception. After the sentences "Hayya 'ala al-salah" and "Hayya 'ala al-falah," the congregation will reply with "La hawla wala kuwata ila billah," which means "There is no power and strength except with the help of Allah SWT."
Step 2. Start with Allahu Akbar (الله) four times
This sentence means "God is great". Split the repetition into two sets: "Allahu Akbar; Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar; Allahu Akbar!" It should be noted that Malikis say this sentence only twice, and not four times.
Step 3. Say Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah (أشهد لا له لا الله) twice
This sentence means "There is no god but Allah." The pronunciation is "ashhadu-alla ilaha-illallah".
Step 4. Repeat Ash hadu anna Muhammadan Rasul Allah (أشهد ل الله) twice
This sentence means "I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle". The pronunciation is "ashhadu-anna-Muhammadar-rasullullah".
Step 5. Say Hayya 'ala al-salah (حي لى الصلاة) twice
This sentence means "Let's pray." The pronunciation is "Hayya-'alash-sholah"
Step 6. Say Hayya 'ala al-falah (حي لى الفلاح) twice
This sentence means "Let's achieve victory." The pronunciation is "Hayya-'alal-falah".
Step 7. Say the call to prayer according to the sect (school) adopted
There are some differences of understanding regarding the reading after "Hayya'ala al-falah" and before the last "Allahu Akbar". The sentence spoken depends on the school of Islam adopted. Be careful of the implications, and try not to offend anyone. If you are not sure, skip this section and move on to the next sentence.
- If you follow the Sunni school of thought, say "Assalatu khayru min an-naum", which means "Prayer is better than sleep." This sentence is only uttered during the call to prayer at dawn.
- If you are a Shia school of thought, say “Hayya-al Khair al amal,” which means “Come on towards the best practices.”
Step 8. Repeat Allahu Akbar (الله) again twice
Step 9. Finish by saying La ilaha illallah (لا له لا الله):
"There is no God but Allah". According to the four schools of thought, most muezzins only say this sentence once. However, the Imami school said it twice. The Maliki and Shafi'i schools allow the repetition of this sentence, and consider it sunnah. According to the two schools of thought, the call to prayer is valid if this sentence is said only once, in contrast to the Imami school.
Part 3 of 3: Saying Prayers and Ikamah
Step 1. Say the prayer after the call to prayer
You are not obliged to pray, because the law is mustahab (highly recommended). Say "Allahumma Rabba Hathihi Al-Da'awati Al-Taamma Wal Salat Al-qaa'ima, Aati Sayyedana Muhammadan Al-Wasilata Wal-Fadilata Wal-Darajata Al-'aleyata Al Rafî'a, Wa b'ath-hu Allahumma Maqaman Mahmudan Allathi Wa'adtahu, Innaka La Tokhlifu Al-Mee'ad."
Step 2. Recite the ikamah
Ikamah is the last call to prayer before the prayer takes place. The reading of the ikamah and its repetition can differ according to the sect adopted so you need to check with the congregation first. If the ikamah has been echoed, the congregational prayer can begin.
Call for ikamah in a lower voice than the voice for the call to prayer. Congregants will still be able to hear you because they are now closer
Tips
- Listen to the various call to prayer before trying to pronounce it yourself.
- Practice reading the call to prayer before calling for prayer.
- Azan is usually uttered about 15 minutes before prayer. The Ikamah is recited just before the prayer.
