One of the oldest religions is Islam. It is familiar to almost every person: someone confesses it, and someone just heard about it. The Ottoman Empire fought to the last drop of blood not only to increase the territory of its 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 have been aware of the meaning of this word since childhood, and how the azan is read correctly.
Prophet Mohammed
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 his associates for a council 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 bells (Christianity), sacrifices, burning (Judaism) and others. On the same night, one Sahaba (companion of the Prophet Muhammad) - AbuMuhammad Abdullah - saw in a dream an angel who taught him to read the adhan correctly. It seemed incredible, but other companions of the prophet also saw exactly the same dream. This is how it was decided to fulfill the call to prayer.
What is the essence of Islam
In Arabic, the word Islam means submission. This is what all religion is based on. There are five obligatory precepts that must be obediently carried out by a believing Muslim.
- First of all, these are shahadas that sound something like this: I testify that for me there is no other God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet.
- Every day, namaz (prayer in Arabic with the fulfillment of certain instructions) is mandatory 5 times every day.
- During the month of Ramadan, fasting is obligatory, and the believer does not eat food from sunrise to sunset.
- At least once in a lifetime it is necessary to visit the Kaaba in the city of Mecca.
- And also the last obligatory prescription is donation to the needy and to the community.
Interestingly, in Islamic countries, religion and the state are very closely linked. For example, before each meeting of the council, it is customary to praise Allah. As a rule, it is very difficult for a non-believing Muslim (kafir) to live among believers, since he can be considered an enemy. If during the azan a person does not repeat the words, then they will definitely pay attention to him and look with contempt. The Quran says that people who do not believe in Allah are enemies and cannot be loved even if theyare relatives. Muslims truly believe that one day the day of judgment will come, and everyone will be rewarded according to their deserts.
First muezzin
A muezzin is a minister who calls people to prayer from the minaret (the tower next to the mosque). After the order of performing the azan was approved, the prophet Muhammad ordered a Muslim with a very beautiful voice to memorize these rules. 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” to the morning azan, and the prophet Muhammad approved of this. Only men can read the call to prayer. In addition, competitions are held in Islamic countries for the best recitation of the adhan. It is so beautiful and mesmerizing that even non-Christians enjoy listening to it.
Basics of reading the azan
Unique is the fact that in the Islamic faith even the call to prayer is read according to certain rules and rituals that never change. Azan in Israel is read five times a day, at the same time. Also, the muezzin must face the cubic building (shrine) of the Kaaba, located in the city of Mecca. This is a very important shrine, which is associated with multiple rituals, prayers and, of course, the azan. The 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 to sleep in this position. Reading prayers is also related to this.direction, every believer knows approximately exactly where it is located. In addition, the reader of the azan raises his hands to about the level of his head, while his thumbs of both hands touch the earlobes.
Azaan text
The call to prayer of the Muslim people consists of seven formulas that must be sounded without fail. No one ever changes adhan. The text goes something like this:
- God is glorified four times: "Allah is above all".
- The shahada is said twice: "I testify that there is no deity comparable to the One and Only God."
- Shahada of the Prophet Muhammad is said twice: "I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God".
- The call itself sounds twice: "Hurry to prayer".
- Two times: "Seek salvation".
- Twice (if it is morning prayer) the words Bilal added: "Prayer is better than sleep".
- God is glorified twice again: "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, the call to prayer should be read by a man with a very beautiful and resonant voice, holding his earlobes with his fingers. Reading the azan resembles singing a song, the words are pronounced very clearly and in a singsong voice, but according to the laws of Islam, the call should not be like music. Also, when pronouncing certain phrases, the muezzin turns his head to the right, thenleft. The one who listens to the azan, calming the soul, in turn, must repeat almost all the words he hears. The exception is the phrase "There is no Deity but Allah", which is replaced by the expression: "Strength and power only with Allah." And also before the morning prayer, having heard 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 Muslims, at a conscious age, are interested in the question: is it necessary to read the azan at home? After all, this is a call to prayer, but is there any point in calling yourself to prayer? Of course, for believing Christians, the question may 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 cannot be dispensed with. In Turkish hotels, each room even indicates the direction of the Kaaba, where you need to turn when reading the azan.
What is the azan for a Muslim actually
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 believing Muslims have their own opinion on this matter. The Qur'an clearly states that adhan is the path to Allah's forgiveness and true faith. The power of the call to prayer is so great that without it, prayer loses its meaning. In addition, in the Islamic faith there is such a thing as sunnah - this is the desired duty of every Muslim.
And in scriptureIt is said that adhan is a sunnah that opens the way to Paradise. The call to prayer sounds 5 times a day in each mosque, and the faithful go to it with joy. They believe that the azan, which calms the soul and gives them peace, will surely help in their daily affairs and save them from hell.
Azan for kids
A child born into a Muslim family is also a part of this great and strong 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 is a call to prayer. Of course, for this it is necessary to call the spiritual head. But, despite the fact that the azan in Israel is a frequent occurrence, it is quite difficult to perform this ceremony immediately after the birth of a baby. Most often, the call to prayer for a newborn is read into his ear by the father. Then, after the mother and child are discharged from the hospital, the spiritual head is invited to the house to conduct the ceremony.
This tradition, of course, has its own meaning. First of all, a child from birth is introduced to Allah and taught to praise him. In addition, it is believed that the holy words will protect the child from the machinations of the shaitan (devil).
Since every Muslim knows how to read the azan, reading it in the ear of a son or daughter is not difficult. Perhaps the Islamic faith is so strong precisely because the child is instilled with love and reverence for Allah from birth. It is believed that parents are obliged to raise a child according to the laws of the Koran, and a great responsibility always lies with the headfamily - a man. His duties include providing for the family and its moral principles.
For a true Muslim, ill-bred children or a wife who walks are considered a disgrace. During the adhan, the head of the family must go outside, repeat the words after the muezzin and go to prayer. The woman and the child can stay at home and pray there. However, contrary to popular belief, Muslim women and young children are not prohibited from entering the mosque. Most often, it is for the morning adhan and prayer that the whole family comes. And then they spend the whole day in an uplifted spiritual mood.
Summing up, we can say that the azan is part of the daily rituals of Islamic peoples. The call to prayer praises Allah and the Prophet Muhammad, and testifies that there is only one God. The Azan sounds five times a day, before each obligatory prayer, and each believer repeats the words of the call to prayer.
