The Second Call to Prayer (Iqamah)

By: Muhammad Mahmoud As-Sawwaf

After the muezzin (one who calls the Adhan ) has made the Call to Prayer, it is recommended by the Sunnah that there shall be an interval until the Second Call to Prayer (iqamah) during which a person should be ready for Prayer. He who makes the Call to Prayer should be the same person who makes the Second Call to Prayer. It begins when all the necessary conditions for performing Prayer are fulfilled. When this is done and all have become ready for Prayer, the muezzin stands facing the direction of the Ka`bah and makes the Second Call to Prayer, and then people perform Prayer.

– How to Make the Second Call to Prayer

There are two correct formulae of saying the Second Call to Prayer:

a. The First Formula

“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar”

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.

“Ash-hadu alla ilaha illa-llah.”

I bear witness that there is no god but Allah.

“Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasulullah.”

I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

“Hayya ‘ala-s-Salah”

Come to Prayer.

“Hayya ‘ala-l-falah”

Come to prosperity.

“Qad qamatis-salah, qad qamatis-salah”

Prayer is to be performed, Prayer is to be performed.

“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar”

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.

“La ilaha illa-llah”

There is no god but Allah.

b. The Second Formula

“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar”

Allah is the greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.

“Ash-hadu alla ilaha illa-llah.”

I bear witness that there is no god but Allah.

“Ash-hadu alla ilaha illa-llah.”

I bear witness that there is no god but Allah.

“Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasulullah.”

I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

“Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasulullah.”

I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

“Hayya ‘ala-s-Salah, hayya ‘ala-s-Salah.”

Come to Prayer, come to Prayer.

“Hayya ‘ala-l-falah, hayya ‘ala-l-falah.”

Come to prosperity, come to prosperity.

“Qad qamatis-salah, qad qamatis-salah”

Prayer is to be performed, Prayer is to be performed.

“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar”

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.

“La ilaha illa-llah”

There is no god but Allah.

Notes:

After the muezzin has made the Call to Prayer, it is recommended by the Sunnah that there shall be an interval until the Second Call to Prayer.

1 . It is recommended by the Sunnah that the muezzin should make the Call to Prayer in a slow and unhurried fashion with a pause between each two phrases, and that the Second Call to Prayer should be made rapidly and that there should be no talking during it.

2. During the Call to Prayer one should face the ka`bah, saying it aloud, even though one is alone in the desert.

3. If you miss Prayer due to oversleeping or forgetfulness, then you should recite to yourself both the Call to Prayer and the Second Call to Prayer when you perform Prayer. In case you have missed a number of Prayers, it is preferable that you recite at least the Call to Prayer and the Second Call to Prayer for the first Prayer, but only the Second Call to Prayer for each of the other Prayers.

4. The Call to Prayer and the Second Call to Prayer are not obligatory for women but if they say them then there is no harm. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy upon him) related, “If they (women) do so there is no harm done, and if they do not do so, it is permitted.”

`A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) used to make the Call to Prayer and the Second Call to Prayer, leading women in Prayer and standing in their midst.” (Al-Bayhaqi)

5. The listener should repeat the words of the muezzin in the Second Call to Prayer as he does in the first Call to Prayer, except where the muezzin says,

“Hayya ‘ala-s-Salah, hayya ‘ala-l-falah.”

“Come to Prayer. Come to prosperity.”

Here the listener says;

“La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.”

“There is no power and no strength except in Allah.”

When the muezzin says,

“Qad qamatis-salah.”

“Prayer is to be performed.”

The listener says,

“Aqamaha-llahu wa adamaha.”

“May Allah raise it up and make it last forever.”

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Source: Quoted with slight modifications from the author’s The Muslim Prayer Book: Rules, Concepts & Merits.