A'Than: The Muslim Call to Prayer

A'Than, the call to prayer, is recited five times daily at the prescribed prayer times. Customarily, the call is made by a person who has a strong and melodious voice (the Mu'a'then) to summon Muslims for their mandatory prayers.

The Mu'a'then stands on elevated ground (such as a mosque minaret) and faces the direction of the Qibla (the Kaaba in Makkah) while making the call. Today, loudspeakers and modern technology assist in broadcasting the call to prayer around the world.

History

Following the construction of the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) consulted with his companions regarding a suitable method to summon Muslims for prayer. The wording of the A'Than was revealed through visions seen independently by two companions. The Prophet approved the wording and selected Bilal, a freed Abyssinian slave with a beautiful voice, as the first Mu'a'then in Islam.

Since then, the same words have been recited by Muslims throughout the world for more than fourteen centuries.

Significance

Beyond notifying Muslims of prayer times, the A'Than serves as a spiritual preparation for worship. Its words summarize the essence of Islamic belief, affirming the oneness of Allah, acknowledging the Prophethood of Muhammad, and calling believers to prayer and success.

It is also traditionally the first thing a newborn Muslim hears, with the A'Than recited softly into the right ear and the Iqama into the left.

Words and Meanings

Allah is Greater reminds Muslims that Allah's greatness surpasses everything else. His mercy is greater than our sins, His wisdom greater than all knowledge, and His power greater than every worldly force.

I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah summarize the Muslim testimony of faith and acceptance of Islam's final message.

The phrases Rush to Prayer and Rush to Success connect prayer with success and depict worship as the source of spiritual life.

In the dawn A'Than, the phrase الصلاة خير من النوم (Prayer is better than sleep) is repeated twice following the call to success.