SUPPLICATIONS FOR THE CALL TO PRAYER (ADHAN) AND AFTER
While the call to prayer is being recited, it is recommended to listen to the muezzin's words and repeat them, then send blessings on the Prophet once the call ends, followed by the supplication known as the "adhan supplication." The widely known text "Allahumma Rabba hadhihi'd-da'wati't-tammah…" is recited after the call to prayer is complete, not while it is still being recited (Bukhari, Adhan 8). The time between the call to prayer and the start of the prayer itself is also regarded as a valuable time for supplication.
Duas and Verses
The Response Given During the Call to Prayer
لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ
Lâ havle ve lâ kuvvete illâ billâh.
There is no power and no strength except with God. The listener repeats the muezzin's other words verbatim; only at the calls "Hayya 'ala's-salah" and "Hayya 'ala'l-falah" is this phrase said instead.
Can be recalled while responding to the muezzin's call; it recalls that the strength to turn toward prayer comes only through God's help. Once the call to prayer ends, the next step is to send blessings on the Prophet.
The Supplication After the Call to Prayer
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ، وَالصَّلَاةِ الْقَائِمَةِ، آتِ مُحَمَّدًا الْوَسِيلَةَ وَالْفَضِيلَةَ، وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَامًا مَحْمُودًا الَّذِي وَعَدْتَهُ
Allâhümme Rabbe hâzihi'd-da'veti't-tâmmeti ve's-salâti'l-kâimeti, âti Muhammedeni'l-vesîlete ve'l-fadîlete, veb'ashü makâmen mahmûdenillezî va'adteh.
O God, Lord of this perfect call and of the prayer about to be established, grant Muhammad the intercession and favor, and raise him to the praiseworthy station You have promised him.
Can be recited once the call to prayer is complete, after responding to the muezzin's words and sending blessings on the Prophet. A hadith states that whoever recites this will be entitled to the Prophet's intercession on the Day of Judgment — this is a promise of virtue, not a guarantee of Paradise.
Supplication Between the Call to Prayer and Its Start
The time between the end of the call to prayer and the start of the prayer (iqamah) is regarded as a valuable time for supplication: "A supplication made between the call to prayer and its start is not turned away." During this interval, one may bring not only a memorized Arabic text but also their own personal needs and intentions before God.
Can be recalled after the adhan supplication, during the time remaining before the start of prayer, for personal supplication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the adhan supplication recited during the call to prayer or after it ends?
The well-known "Allahumma Rabba hadhihi'd-da'wati't-tammah…" supplication is recited after the call to prayer is complete. While it is still being recited, one responds to the muezzin's words instead.
What should someone who does not know the adhan supplication do?
One can first learn its brief meaning, memorize the text section by section, and pray in their own language in the meantime.
Is it acceptable to read the adhan supplication from a phone?
Following the text on a phone for the purpose of learning it is permissible.
Should the adhan supplication be recited aloud?
The essential practice is to recite it quietly enough for oneself to hear, or silently. Outside of a teaching context, there is no requirement to recite it aloud and in unison.
Sources
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Ezân 8
- Ebû Dâvûd, Salât 35, 37
- Tirmizî, Mevâkît 43, Salât 44
- Nesâî, Ezân 38
- İbn Mâce, Ezân 4