The practice of Azan, in Islam the call to prayer, dates back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad in the early 7th century. The origin of Fajr Azan, specifically, can be traced back to the early Islamic community in Medina.
According to historical records, the first Azan was called by a companion of the Prophet named Bilal ibn Rabah. He was chosen by the Prophet to call the believers to prayer because of his beautiful voice and strong faith. Bilal would climb to the top of a high building or mountain and recite the words of the Azan to call the Muslims to prayer.
Initially, there was no specific Azan for the Fajr prayer. The practice of calling for Fajr prayer with a separate Azan was introduced during the reign of the second Caliph, Umar ibn Al-Khattab. Umar noticed that some people were missing the early morning prayer because they could not hear the Azan for Fajr amidst the noise of the early morning. He then ordered the appointment of a caller for Fajr prayer who would recite a separate Azan to ensure that people were not missing the important prayer.
Over time, the practice of reciting a separate Azan for Fajr became an established tradition in the Islamic world, and it is still practiced today. The words of the Fajr Azan have remained largely unchanged since their introduction, with the exception of minor variations in different parts of the world.
The process of Fajr Azan involves the following steps:
Selection of the Muezzin: The mosque authorities select a suitable person to recite the Azan. This person is known as the Muezzin.
Preparation: The Muezzin prepares himself for the Azan by performing the ablution (wudu) and facing the Qibla, the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca.
Standing at a high point: The Muezzin stands at a high point, such as the top of a mosque or minaret, so that his voice can reach a large area.
Raising the hands: The Muezzin raises his hands to his ears and starts the Azan by saying “Allahu Akbar” (God is the Greatest).
Recitation: The Muezzin then recites the specific phrases of the Fajr Azan in Arabic, which include affirming the Oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad, peace be upon him.
Voice modulation: The Muezzin modulates his voice to create a melodious and harmonious sound, which is pleasing to the ears of the listeners.
Completion of Azan: After completing the Azan, the Muezzin concludes it by saying “La ilaha illa Allah” (There is no god but Allah).
The Fajr Azan is a reminder to Muslims to wake up for the Fajr prayer and start their day with the remembrance of Allah. The process of Fajr Azan has remained largely unchanged over the centuries, and it continues to be an important part of Islamic culture and tradition.
الله أكبر، الله أكبر،
أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله،
أشهد أن محمدا رسول الله،
حي على الصلاة، حي على الفلاح،
الصلاة خير من النوم،
الله أكبر، الله أكبر،
لا إله إلا الله.
“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
Ashhadu anna la ilaha illa Allah.
Ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasulu Allah.
Hayya ‘ala-s-salah, hayya ‘ala-l-falah.
As-salatu khayrun min an-naum.
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
La ilaha illa Allah.”
“God is the greatest, God is the greatest.
I bear witness that there is no god except Allah.
I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.
Hurry to the prayer, hurry to the success.
Prayer is better than sleep.
God is the greatest, God is the greatest.
There is no god except Allah.”
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
“God is the greatest, God is the greatest”
Ashhadu anna la ilaha illa Allah.
“I bear witness that there is no god except Allah”
Ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasulu Allah
“I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah”
Hayya ‘ala-s-salah, hayya ‘ala-l-falah
“Hurry to the prayer, hurry to the success”
As-salatu khayrun min an-naum
“Prayer is better than sleep”
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
“God is the greatest, God is the greatest”
La ilaha illa Allah
“There is no god except Allah”
اللہ سب سے بڑا ہے، اللہ سب سے بڑا ہے (Allah o Akbar, Allah o Akbar)
اللہ سب سے بڑا ہے، اللہ سب سے بڑا ہے (Allah o Akbar, Allah o Akbar)
میں گواہی دیتا ہوں کہ خدا کے سوا کوئی عبادت کے لائق نہیں (Ash-hadu anna la ilaha illallah)
میں گواہی دیتا ہوں کہ حضرت محمد صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم خدا کے رسول ہیں (Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan rasoolullah)
نماز کی طرف بلاتے ہیں (Hayya ‘ala-salah)
کامیابی کی طرف بلاتے ہیں (Hayya ‘ala-l-falah)
اللہ سب سے بڑا ہے، اللہ سب سے بڑا ہے (Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar)
کوئی معبود برحق نہیں، صرف اللہ ہی برحق ہے (La ilaha illallah)
The Fajr Azan is a reminder to Muslims to wake up for the Fajr prayer and start their day with the remembrance of Allah. The process of Fajr Azan has remained largely unchanged over the centuries, and it continues to be an important part of Islamic culture and tradition.