When we say salah (ritual prayer) most of us believe it begins when we stand and say “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest). But it begins before that. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“A person is considered in prayer as long as he is waiting for the prayer.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
For men, this refers to one who has prepared for and is waiting for the prayer to start in the mosque. For women who are not at the mosque, this refers to performing wudu’ (ablution) and dressing in the appropriate attire, if necessary, and waiting for the time for prayer to set in.
A Treasure of a Secret
An oft-neglected aspect of prayer is the adhan (call to prayer). Have we ever tasted the sweetness of the adhan? Whoever tasted the sweetness of the adhan will increase in devotion in the prayer. One could ask what is the relation between the adhan and khushu` (devotion)?
Satan hates the prayer. The Prophet said, “When the adhan is pronounced, Satan takes to his heels and passes wind with noise during his flight in order not to hear the adhan. When the adhan is completed he comes back and again takes to his heels when the iqamah (second call to prayer) is pronounced and after its completion he returns again, whispering into the heart of the person (to divert his attention from his prayer) and making him remember things which he does not recall to his mind before the prayer and that causes him to forget how much he has prayed.” (Al-Bukhari)
From the time the adhan starts, Satan tries to distract you, so that you do not benefit even from the great blessings of it. So what is so special about the adhan?
Adhan: An Opportunity
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“The muezzin (person calling to prayer or making the adhan) is forgiven for as far as his voice reaches and whoever hears him will confirm what he says. He will get a reward similar to those who pray with him.” (An-Nasa’i and Ahmad)
So if fifty people pray, the muezzin gets the reward of fifty prayers. If it is hundred, he gets the reward of hundred prayers. Now we ask, what does that have to do with me? I’m not a muezzin. Yet you too can get the same reward of a muezzin. `Abdullah ibn `Amr (may Allah be pleased be with him) related that a man asked the Prophet, “Do the muezzins get more virtues than us?” and the Prophet responded:
“Say what they say and when they finish, ask and it shall be given.” (Abu Dawud)
When the adhan starts with “Allahu Akbar,” it is reminding you that Allah is greater than what you are doing, be it the television series you are watching, the article you are reading or the conversation you are having. And why do you rise up when you hear the adhan? Because of “La ilaha ila Allah” – your belief in One God. If you find what you are doing seems to be more important, then in reality it is almost as if that is what you deem to be more important than praying to God.
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The Prophet said: “A person is considered in prayer as long as he is waiting for the prayer.”
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