Status of First Azan in Shari’ah and Four Schools of Thought?

Al-jawab billahi at-taufeeq (the answer with Allah’s guidance)

The Adhan of Salatul Jumu’ah.

Narrated As-Saib bin Yazid:

In the life-time of the Prophet, Abu Bakr and Umar, the Adhan for the Jumua prayer used to be pronounced when the Imam sat on the pulpit. But during the Caliphate of ‘Uthman when the Muslims increased in number, a third Adhan at Az-Zaura’ was added. Abu ‘Abdullah said, “Az-Zaura’ is a place in the market of Madina.” (Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 13, Number 35)

Narrated As-Saib bin Yazid:

The person who increased the number of Adhans for the Jumua prayers to three was Uthman bin Affan and it was when the number of the (Muslim) people of Madina had increased. In the life-time of the Prophet there was only one Muadh-dhin and the Adhan used to be pronounced only after the Imam had taken his seat (i.e. on the pulpit). (Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 13, Number 36)

Narrated Az-Zuhri:

I heard As-Saib bin Yazid, saying, “In the life-time of Allah’s Apostle, and Abu Bakr and Umar, the Adhan for the Jumua prayer used to be pronounced after the Imam had taken his seat on the pulpit. But when the people increased in number during the caliphate of ‘Uthman, he introduced a third Adhan (on Friday for the Jumua prayer) and it was pronounced at Az-Zaura’ and that new state of affairs remained so in the succeeding years. (Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 13, Number 39)

Note:

First Adhan: After the Imam had taken his seat (i.e. on the pulpit).

Second Adhan: is the Iqamat (which can be described as an Adhan too).

These two Adhan were during the life time of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), and Abu Bakr and Umar (RadhiyAllahu Anhuma).

The third Adhan mentioned in the above Ahadith is before the Khutba Adhan, this was introduced by Uthman (RadhiyAllahu Anhu). (Ma’arifus Sunan Vol. 4 Pg. 405, 406)

After analysing all these narrations we learn that the third Adhan (before the Khutba Adhan) of Jumuah is the Sunnah of Uthman (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) and Ijma us Sahabah (consensus of the Sahabah). (‘Umadatul Qari Vol. 6 Pg. 211) (Darse Tirmidhi Vol. 2 Pg. 292, 293)

This ijma’ is definite and Lazim (binding), whoever rejects this is not a Kafir but a Fasiq (transgressor). (Usul us Shashi Pg. 79)

Sunnah of the Khulafah-e-Raashideen:

Following the Sunnah of the Khulafah-e-Raashideen is in accordance to the command of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Imaam Tirmizi (Rahmatullahi Alaih) narrates the following Hadith in Tirmizi Shareef in the section Abwaabul Ilm (chapters of knowledge) under the chapter – Chapter on holding firmly onto the Sunnah and Abstaining from Bid’ah.

Irbaad bin Saariya (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) narrates: “Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) preached to us one day after Fajar with utmost eloquence which caused the eyes to tear and the hearts to tremble. A man then said: “Definitely this is the advice of a person bidding farewell, hence what do you emphatically command us with O Messenger of Allah? He (Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “I emphatically command you with the fear of Allah and the listening and obedience even (if your leader be) an Abyssinian slave. Verily who lives from amongst you will observe such dissension. Save yourself from newly invented matters because it is definitely misguidance. Whosoever reaches that era from amongst you then my Sunnah and Sunnah of the rightly guided Khulafa is mandatory upon him. Bite upon it (the Sunnah) with the molars (i.e. stick dogeddly to it or cling stubbornly to it). (Tirmizi vol.2 pg.92)

Imaam Tirmizi (Rahmatullahi Alaih) narrates this Hadith and commented: “This Hadith is Hasan and Sahih.” Both words indicating the authenticity of Tuhfatul Ahwazee (commentary of Tirmizi) states about this Hadith: “Imaam Ahmad, Abu Dawood and Ibne Majah (Rahmatullahi Alaihim) have reported it (this Hadith) and Abu Dawood (Rahmatullahi Alaih) maintained silence about it. Allamah Munziri (Rahmatullahi Alaih) transmitted the authentication of Imaam Tirmizi (Rahmatullahi Alaih) and confirmed it. (Tuhfatul Ahwazee vol.7 pg.368)

Hafiz Ibne Hajar (Rahmatullahi Alaih) examining this Hadith mentions: “Imaam Ahmad, Abu Dawod, Tirmizi, Ibne Majah, Ibne Hibbaan and Haakim (Rahmatullahi Alaihim) report it from Irbaad bin Saariya. Allamah Bazzaar (Rahmatullahi Alaih) said: “Its Sanad is more Sahih than the Hadith of Huzaifah (RadhiyAllahu Anhu).” (Talkheesul Habeer vol.2 pg. 190).

Muhammad Nasiruddeen Al-Albaani has mentioned this Hadith in his work in Sunan Ibne Majah entitled: “Sahih Sunan Ibne Majah.” He brought the Hadith with three different chains of narrators from Irbaad bin Saariya (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) and has regarded all to be Sahih.

We conclude that after all these authorities have proved this Hadith to be authentic, to follow the Sunnah of the rightly guided Khulafa is definitely in accordance to the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and it is Wajibul Ittiba'(necessary to follow) also.

Allah Ta’ala says,

“They are those whom Allah had guided (Sahaba). So follow their guidance. (6:90)

“And follow the path of those who turn to me” (31:15).

“He who obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah.” (4:80)

Conclusion:

All the Sahabah (RadhiyAllahu Anhum) present had agreed upon this practice. From then onwards including the Khilafah of Ali (RadhiyAllahu Anhu), Tabi’een (successors), Tabi’ Tabe’een, including the four Imams (Rahmatullahi Alaihim), up to this day the Muslim Ummah (at large) has followed this practice for the last 14 centuries.

Also, Jumu’ah Salah will be valid without the first Adhan but disliked to do so.

And Only Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.

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Moulana Qamruz Zaman
London, UK