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

When we say Prayer, most of us believe it begins when we stand and say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is Greatest). But it 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, this refers to performing wudu` (ablution) and dressing in the appropriate attire, if necessary, and waiting for the time for prayer to set in.

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

Satan hates the prayer. The Prophet (peace be upon him) 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 is pronounced and after its completion he returns again, whispering into the heart of the person (to divert his attention from his prayer) and making him remember things which he does not recall to his mind before the prayer and that causes him to forget how much he has prayed.” (Al-Bukhari)

From the time the adhan starts, Satan tries to distract you, so that you do not benefit even from the great blessings of it. So what is so special about the adhan?

An Opportunity to Seize

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“The muezzin (person calling to prayer or making the adhan) is forgiven for as far as his voice reaches and whoever hears him will confirm what he says. He will get a reward similar to those who pray with him.” (An-Nasa’i and Ahmad)

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

`Abdullah ibn `Amr (may Allah be pleased be with him) related that a man asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Does the muezzin get more virtues than us?” and the Prophet responded:

“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, be it the television series you are watching, the article you are reading or the conversation you are having. And why do you rise up when you hear the adhan? Because of “La ilaha ila Allah” – your belief in One God. If you find what you are doing seems to be more important, then in reality it is almost as if that is what you deem to be more important than praying to God.

We know that when we hear the adhan, we repeat what the muezzin says, except for when he says “hayy `ala as-Salah” (make haste to the prayer) and “hayy `ala al-falah” (make haste to true success). Here we say: “La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah” (there is no power or strength except through God).

Why do we say that? Because we know that we will not be able to have true devotion, nor perform the prayer perfectly, except with the help of Allah.

A Higher Calling

Remember that the adhan is a calling; it is a most beautiful calling because it alerts you to meeting your most Beloved. When we are about to meet someone we love, the feelings of excitement and longing come before the meeting. They begin when that special someone tells us: “I’ll meet you in ten minutes” or “I’ll see you in a few seconds.” This implies that the person that is telling you that he or she will meet you is a special someone, which brings upon feelings of happiness.

Lady `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 is telling you that now is the time to meet Allah. So those who truly love Allah will jump at the chance to meet Him, and not wait until the time for that prayer is almost over. Look at Musa (peace be upon him) as Allah the Exalted says:

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)

Look at how Musa (peace be upon him) said he rushed to Allah that is the action of one who truly loves and has awe.

So, enjoy the adhan, and you will, in sha’ Allah (Allah Willing), enjoy the prayer.

We ask Allah to help us perfect our prayers.

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Source: OnIslam.net.