One of the oldest religions is Islam. She is familiar to almost every person: someone professes it, and someone just heard about her. The Ottoman Empire fought to the last drop of blood, not only in order to increase the territory of possessions, but also to spread its faith. In the Islamic religion, the word "azan" is a call to prayer. Let's try to figure out why Muslims from childhood know about the meaning of this word, and how the azan is read correctly.
Prophet Muhammad
Despite the fact that there was more than one prophet in the Islamic religion, it is Muhammad who is considered the founder and last interpreter of the will of Allah. According to legend, one day he gathered colleagues for advice in order to decide how the call to prayer should sound. Each offered his own version, which was similar to the customs of other religions: ringing the bells (Christianity), sacrifice, burning (Judaism) and others. On the same night, one Sahaba (Companion of the Prophet Muhammad) - Abu Muhammad Abdullah - saw in an dream an angel who taught him to read the azan correctly. It seemed unbelievable, but the other companions of the prophet also saw the exact same dream. It was in this way that it was decided to fulfill the call to prayer.
What is the essence of Islam
Translated from Arabic, the word Islam means submission. That is what religion is all about. There are five mandatory requirements that must be obediently followed by a Muslim believer.
- First of all, these are shahads, which sound something like this: I testify that for me there is no other God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.
- Every day, 5 times must be performed namaz (prayer in Arabic with the fulfillment of certain requirements).
- During the month of Ramadan , fasting is mandatory, and the believer does not eat food from sunrise to sunset.
- At least once in your life you need to visit the Kaaba in the city of Mecca.
- And also the last mandatory prescription is a donation to the needy and to the community.
Interestingly, in Islamic countries, religion and the state are very closely related. For example, before each council meeting it is customary to praise Allah. An unbelieving Muslim (kafir), as a rule, is very difficult to live among believers, since he can be considered an enemy. If during an adhan a person does not repeat the words, then he must be paid attention and looked with contempt. The Qur'an says that people who do not believe in Allah are enemies, and they cannot be loved, even if they are relatives. Muslims truly believe that one day will come, and everyone will be rewarded according to their deserts.
First muezzin
Muejin is a minister calling people to pray from the minaret (a tower located next to the mosque). After the order of fulfillment of the azan was approved, the Prophet Muhammad ordered a Muslim with a very beautiful voice to learn these rules by heart. This man was called Bilal ibn Rabah, and he became the first muezzin in the Islamic religion. In addition, there is evidence that Bilal himself added the words “prayer is better than sleep” in the morning azan, and the Prophet Muhammad approved this. Only men can read the call to prayer. In addition, in Islamic countries, competitions are held for the best reading of the azan. It is so beautiful and bewitching that even non-believers enjoy listening to it.
Azan Reading Basics
What is unique is the fact that in the Islamic faith even a call to prayer is read according to certain rules and rituals that never change. Adhan in Israel is read five times a day, at the same time. Also, the muezzin should face toward the cubic construction (shrine) of the Kaaba, located in the city of Mecca. This is a very important shrine with which many rituals, prayers and, of course, azan are associated. A text that is read facing the Kaaba is considered sacred.
Also, for example, a Muslim who has died is buried on his right side, facing the shrine, it is also recommended that he sleep in this position. Reading prayers is also associated with this direction, each believer knows approximately exactly where it is located. In addition, the reading azan raises the hands approximately to the level of the head, while his thumbs of both hands touch the earlobes.
Azan text
The prayer call of the Muslim people consists of seven formulas, which must sound without fail. No one ever changes the azan. The text goes something like this:
- Four times God is glorified: "Allah is above all."
- The shahada is pronounced twice: "I testify that there is no deity comparable to the One and Only God."
- The shahada about the prophet Muhammad is pronounced twice: "I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God."
- Two times the call itself sounds: "Hurry to pray."
- Twice: “Seek salvation.”
- Two times (if it is a morning prayer) the words added by Bilal: "Prayer is better than sleep."
- Two times God is again glorified: "Allah is above all."
- And once again the testimony of faith: "I testify that there is no deity but Allah!"
How to read and listen to the call to prayer
As mentioned earlier, a call to prayer should be read by a man with a very beautiful and sonorous voice, holding his earlobes with his fingers. Reading the azan is reminiscent of singing a song, the words are pronounced very clearly and chanted, however, according to the laws of Islam, an appeal should not be like music. Also, when pronouncing certain phrases, the muezzin turns his head right and left. The listening azan, calming the soul, in turn, should repeat almost all the words heard. An exception is the phrase "There is no Deity but Allah," which is replaced by the expression: "Allah has strength and power." And also before the morning prayer, when you hear the words: “Prayer is better than sleep,” you need to answer: “You said what is true and fair.”
Azan at home
Many of those who become professors of Islam are consciously interested in the question: is it necessary to read the azan at home? This is an appeal to prayer, but is there any point in calling yourself to prayer? Of course, for believing Christians, perhaps the question will seem very strange, but nothing more than an answer to it. Even if the prayer takes place in a house or hotel, it is necessary to read the adhan. This is practically a component of prayer, which is indispensable. In Turkish hotels, each room even indicates the direction of the Kaaba, where you need to turn when reading the azan.
What is adhan for a muslim really
It would seem that a simple call to prayer, like the ringing of bells in the Orthodox faith, should not raise a special question. But Muslim believers have their own opinion on this. The Qur'an clearly states that adhan is the path to the forgiveness of Allah and true faith. The power of calls to prayer is so great that without it, prayer loses its meaning. In addition, in the Islamic faith there is such a thing as the Sunnah - this is the desired duty of every Muslim.
And in the scripture it is said that the azan is the Sunna, opening the way to Paradise. A call to prayer sounds 5 times a day in every mosque, and believers gladly go to it. They believe that the azan, calming the soul and giving them peace, will certainly help in their daily affairs and save from hell.
Azan for children
A child born in a Muslim family is also part of this large and enduring religion from the first days. Azan for children is a sacrament similar to baptism in Orthodoxy. It is believed that the first words that a newborn should hear are a call to prayer. Of course, for this it is necessary to call a spiritual chapter. But, despite the fact that the adhan in Israel is a frequent occurrence, it is quite difficult to perform this ceremony immediately after the birth of the baby. Most often, a father calls a prayer call for a newborn in his ear. Then, after the mother and child are discharged from the hospital, a spiritual head is invited to the house for the ceremony.
This tradition, of course, has its own meaning. First of all, a child is introduced to Allah from birth and is taught to praise him. In addition, it is believed that holy words will protect the child from the machinations of shaitan (the devil).
Since every Muslim knows how to read the adhan, reading it in the ear of a son or daughter is not difficult. Perhaps the Islamic faith is so strong precisely because, from birth, a child is instilled with love and reverence for Allah. It is believed that parents are obliged to raise a child in accordance with the laws of the Koran, and a great responsibility always lies with the head of the family - the man. His responsibilities include providing for the family and its moral principles.
For a true Muslim, infamous children or a walking wife are considered a shame. During the azan, the head of the family must go out, repeat the words for the muezzin and go to prayer. A woman and a child can stay home and pray there. However, contrary to popular belief, Muslim women and young children are not prohibited from entering the mosque. Most often, the whole family comes to morning azan and prayer. And then they spend the whole day in a high spiritual mood.
Summing up, we can say that adhan is part of the daily rites of the Islamic peoples. The prayer call praises Allah and the Prophet Muhammad, and also testifies that there is only one God. The adhan sounds five times a day, before each obligatory prayer, and each believer repeats the words of the call to prayer.