Muslim scholar identifies key common mistakes among callers to prayer, calls for alignment with Sunnah
Calling to prayer is one of the key ways Muslims get reminded about the time of their daily worship everywhere in the world. As the simple process continues to thrive through several ages, an Islamic scholar, Dr Sanusi Lafiagi, has highlighted five common mistakes among the callers while suggesting the need for adhering to what is factually proven in the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad.
According to the scholar, who is also a lecturer at the Department of Islamic Studies, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, north-central Nigeria, these errors, are often encountered through the injection of foreign phrases that were not previously known in the Islamic traditions.
One notable mistake identified was the inclusion of the phrase “A’ūdhubillāh mina’sh-Shaytānir Rajīm, Bismillāhi’r Rahmāni’r Rahīm” at the beginning of the adhān.
He stressed that there is no evidence from the Sunnah (the traditions and practices of the Islamic prophet Muhammad that constitute a model for Muslims to follow.) supporting this practice, underscoring the importance of adhering strictly to authentic sources in Islamic rituals.
Another commonly observed mistake discussed by the lecturer was the inclusion of the phrase “As-Salātu Jāmi’ah” during the adhān. This addition, while widespread, was noted to lack substantiation from the prophetic tradition.
He further underscored the significance of ensuring that all elements of the call to prayer align with authentic traditions to maintain the purity and authenticity of the call to prayer.
Here are the 5 common mistakes highlighted by the lecturer:
- Saying A’ūdhubillāh mina’sh-Shaytānir Rajīm, Bismillāhi’r Rahmāni’r Rahīm at the commencement of the adhān
Ruling: No evidence from the Sunnah for saying this
2. Saying As-Salātu Jāmi’ah
Ruling: No evidence that this is a part of the adhān. It has a basis in the Sunnah as a call to an important meeting with the Prophet ﷺ after the Salāt
3. Reading the post adhān dhikr aloud
Ruling: The Mu’adhdhin should say the dhikr quietly like every other person is required to do.
4. Sāfū lillāh! Saffū lillāh
It is the job of the Imam to rearrange or command the perfect arrangement of the rows after the proclamation of the Iqāmah
5. Saying Lā ilāha illallāh wahdahū lā sharīkalahū aloud after the Iqāmah
Ruling: It should he said silently
