ERA OF ISLAM

Call The Azan or prayer call had not yet been introduced in the initial stage of Islam. In Mecca, the Muslims were a small minority, and they could be assembled for prayer from the neighborhood by a call delivered in an ordinary voice. But, in Madina when the Prophet's mosque was built and Kaba was fixed as the direction for prayers and an ever-increasing number of people joined the fold of Islam, a device was needed by which the Muslims residing at longer distances could be called to prayer. Some suggested the blowing of a horn for this purpose. Others recommended the beating of a trumpet; still some others put forth the idea that people should be given the signal for prayer by burning a fire on the top of a mound. But none of these suggestions was approved. At last, a Madinite companion of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) Hazrat Abdullah bin Zaid Khazraji (RA) had a dream at night in which someone dressed in green apparel taught him the words now used in the Azan. He first uttered the words of Azan in a loud voice, and then rising to his feet uttered the Iqama’ or the words which are uttered when the congregation of the prayer is about to stand. Both'Azan and Iqama’ comprised the same words expecting an addition of Qad Qamatis. Salat' (the prayer is to be started) in Igama.

          On waking up Hazrat Abdullah bin Zaid (RA) at once presented himself before the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and narrated to him his dream. Thereafter Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) came to the Holy Prophet (PBUH)and narrated a dream similar to that of Hazrat Abdullah bin Zaid (RA).The Holy Prophet (PBUH)then accepted the Azan and Iqama and appointed Hazrat Bilal (RA)as the First Muazzin of Islam. This is how the Azan was introduced which we now hear.

          As in Mecca, so in Madina, Hazrat Bilal (RA) could not endure separation from the Holy Prophet (PBUH).He was constantly in attendance upon the Holy Prophet (PBUH).It was for this reason that the honour of being the first Muazzin in the mosque of the Prophet (PBUH) was conferred upon him.