Originally posted 2024-02-18 04:27:19.

The Prophet said: “A person is considered in prayer as long as he is waiting for the prayer.”

When we say salah (ritual prayer), most of us believe it begins when we stand and say “Allahu Akbar” (God is Greatest). But it actually begins before that. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“A person is considered in prayer as long as he is waiting for the prayer.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

For men, this refers to one who has prepared for and is waiting for the prayer to start in the mosque. For women who are not at the mosque, it refers to performing wudu’ (ablution), dressing in the appropriate attire if necessary, and waiting for the prayer time to set in.

A Treasure of a Secret

An oft-neglected aspect of prayer is the adhan (call to prayer). Have we ever tasted the sweetness of the adhan? Whoever experiences the sweetness of the adhan will increase in devotion during the prayer. One might ask: what is the connection between the adhan and khushu` (devotion)?

Satan hates the prayer. The Prophet said:

“When the adhan is pronounced, Satan takes to his heels and passes wind with noise during his flight in order not to hear the adhan. When the adhan is completed, he comes back and again takes to his heels when the iqamah (second call to prayer) is pronounced. After its completion, he returns again, whispering into the heart of the person (to divert his attention from his prayer), making him remember things which he had not recalled before the prayer, and causing him to forget how much he has prayed.” (Al-Bukhari)

From the moment the adhan begins, Satan tries to distract you so that you do not benefit from its great blessings. So what is so special about the adhan?

Adhan: An Opportunity

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“The muezzin (person calling to prayer) is forgiven as far as his voice reaches, and whoever hears him will affirm what he says. He will receive a reward equal to those who pray with him.” (An-Nasa’i and Ahmad)

So, if fifty people pray, the muezzin receives the reward of fifty prayers. If it’s a hundred, he receives the reward of a hundred prayers. Now we might ask: what does that have to do with me? I’m not a muezzin. Yet you too can attain the same reward.

Abdullah ibn Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that a man asked the Prophet:

“Do the muezzins receive more virtues than us?”
And the Prophet replied:
“Say what they say, and when they finish, ask and it shall be given.” (Abu Dawud)

When the adhan starts with “Allahu Akbar,” it is reminding you that Allah is greater than what you are doing—whether it’s a television series, an article, or a conversation. Why do you rise when you hear the adhan? Because of La ilaha illa Allah—your belief in One God. If what you’re doing seems more important, then it’s as if you are treating that thing as more important than meeting with Allah.

There is No Power or Strength Except Through God

When we hear the adhan, we repeat what the muezzin says, except when he says “Hayya ‘ala as-salah” (Come to prayer) and “Hayya ‘ala al-falah” (Come to success). At these moments, we respond:
“La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah” (There is no power or strength except through God).

Why do we say this? Because we know that we cannot achieve true devotion or perform the prayer properly except with Allah’s help.

A Calling

The adhan is a calling—one of the most beautiful. It calls you to meet your most Beloved. When you are about to meet someone you love, feelings of excitement and longing start long before the meeting.

They begin when that special someone tells you, “I’ll meet you in ten minutes,” or “I’ll see you shortly.” That simple anticipation brings happiness, just knowing that you’ll be with them soon.

`A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him.” (Al-Bukhari)

The adhan tells you that now is the time to meet Allah. So those who truly love Allah will rush to meet Him—not delay until the last moment. Look at Musa (peace be upon him), as Allah says in the Qur’an:

“And what made you hasten from your people, O Moses?” He said, “They are close upon my tracks, and I hastened to You, my Lord, that You be pleased.” (Ta-Ha 20:83-84)

See how Musa rushed to meet Allah—that is the action of one filled with love and awe.

Enjoy the adhan, and you will—in sha’ Allah—enjoy the prayer. We ask Allah to help us perfect our prayers

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Source: lastprophet.info.