Etiquettes of the Adhaan

WHEN YOU HEAR THE AZAN, WHAT IS THE SUNNAH REGARDING WHAT YOU SHOULD DO?

1. SHOULD YOU STOP READING/WRITING

PLEASE ELABORATE

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

When the Muadh’dhin calls out the Adhaan and one is reading or writing, he should suspend what he is doing and reply to the Adhaan.

Consider the following hadith.

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ “‏ إِذَا سَمِعْتُمُ الْمُؤَذِّنَ فَقُولُوا مِثْلَ مَا يَقُولُ ثُمَّ صَلُّوا عَلَىَّ فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَىَّ صَلاَةً صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ بِهَا عَشْرًا ثُمَّ سَلُوا اللَّهَ لِيَ الْوَسِيلَةَ فَإِنَّهَا مَنْزِلَةٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ لاَ تَنْبَغِي إِلاَّ لِعَبْدٍ مِنْ عِبَادِ اللَّهِ وَأَرْجُو أَنْ أَكُونَ أَنَا هُوَ فَمَنْ سَأَلَ لِيَ الْوَسِيلَةَ حَلَّتْ لَهُ الشَّفَاعَةُ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As (Radhiyallahu Anhu) reported that Nabi (ﷺ) said: When you hear the Mu’adhdhin, repeat what he says, then invoke a blessing on me, for everyone who invokes a blessing on me will receive ten blessings from Allah; then beg from Allah al-Wasila for me, which is a rank in Paradise fitting for only one of Allah’s servants, and I hope that I may be that one. If anyone who asks that I be given the Wasila, he will be assured of my intercession.[1]

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Abdullah ibn Mohammed Aijaz

Student Darul Iftaa
Baltimore, USA 

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

Imam Nawawi (Rahimahullah) writes:  If a reciter hears someone make the Adhaan, he should interrupt his recitation (of the Quran) and reply to the call by repeating the utterance of the Adhaan. Then he may continue his recitation.[2]   

It is also important to bear in mind that the time between the Adhaan and Iqamah is extremely precious. One should be engaged in activities which draw the nearness of Allah Taa’ala such as Du’aa, recitation of the Quran, etc.[3] 

The Adhaan is an integral hallmark of Islam and Muslims. Utmost respect must be given to the Adhaan. The Sunnah during the Adhaan would be to terminate all activities and direct one’s attention to the Adhaan and replying to the Adhaan.