How to Respond to the Azan (Call to Prayer)
The Azan is a sound that is neither music nor a song, yet it has tremendous power to capture people’s attention. As soon as Allah’s servants hear this sound, they rush toward Allah’s house like moths to a flame, because this call invites people toward Allah, toward success, toward prayer, and declares that no one is greater than Allah — He alone is worthy of worship, and Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah.
The Virtue of Responding to the Azan
There is great virtue mentioned in the noble Hadith about responding to the Azan — whoever responds to the Azan will enter Jannah. So if you also want to share in the reward along with the muezzin, then as soon as the muezzin says the words of the Azan, you should respond to those words.
How to Respond to the Azan
The Azan is responded to in this way: when the muezzin says “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,” you respond by saying “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.” When the muezzin says “Ash-hadu alla ilaha illallah,” you also respond with “Ash-hadu alla ilaha illallah.” The rest of the Azan is responded to in the same way, except for “Hayya alas-salah” and “Hayya alal-falah,” where different words are said in response — see below:
Azan: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Meaning: Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest
Response: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Azan: Ash-hadu alla ilaha illallah, Ash-hadu alla ilaha illallah
Meaning: I bear witness that there is no god but Allah
Response: Ash-hadu alla ilaha illallah, Ash-hadu alla ilaha illallah
Azan: Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah, Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah
Meaning: I bear witness that Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah
Response: Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah, Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah
Azan: Hayya alas-salah, Hayya alas-salah
Meaning: Come to prayer
Response: La hawla wala quwwata illa billahil aliyyil azeem
Meaning: The strength to avoid evil and the ability to do good come only through Allah’s grace
Azan: Hayya alal-falah, Hayya alal-falah
Response: La hawla wala quwwata illa billahil aliyyil azeem
Azan: As-salatu khayrum minan-naum, As-salatu khayrum minan-naum
Response: Sadaqta wa bararta
Meaning: You have certainly spoken the truth, and said a very good thing
Azan: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Meaning: Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest
Response: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Azan: La ilaha illallah
Response: La ilaha illallah
Meaning: None is worthy of worship except Allah
Some Frequently Asked Questions About the Azan
Question: Why do we say “La hawla wala quwwata illa billah” in response to “Hayya alas-salah” and “Hayya alal-falah”?
Answer: When the muezzin says “Hayya alas-salah, Hayya alal-falah” — come to prayer, come to success — “La hawla wala quwwata” means that the strength to avoid evil and the ability to do good come only through Allah’s help. If we do any good deed, go to the mosque, or perform prayer, it is only through Allah’s grace and enabling.
Question: If several mosques’ Azans are heard at the same time, which one should be responded to?
Answer: Respond to whichever Azan you hear first, or respond to the Azan of the mosque closest to your home.
Question: How do you respond to the Fajr Azan?
Answer: When the muezzin says “As-salatu khayrum minan-naum,” you should say “Sadaqta wa bararta,” which means “You have certainly spoken the truth, and said a very good thing.”
Question: Can you respond to the Azan while in a state of impurity?
Yes, absolutely. Remember that in a state of major impurity you cannot recite or touch the Quran, but apart from the Quran, all forms of dhikr and tasbih can be recited.
Question: What if the Azan begins while reciting the Quran?
Answer: It is recommended to pause the Quran recitation, respond to the Azan first, and then continue reciting.
Question: Should you respond to the Azan while in the toilet or bathing?
Answer: No.
