Preparation is Key: Athan

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Isn’t it amazing that in this day and age, at any given moment, you can easily find someone calling to prayer using the same exact words that were used hundreds of years ago, since the Prophet’s ﷺ time? Similar to wudu, the power of our unity as a single community committed to following Allah’s messenger is evidenced in this small action we take for granted every day. 

The athan, or call to prayer, is Allah calling you to Him. Your meeting with Him is about to start. 

The athan begins with “Allahu Akbar”, which means “Allah is greater”. Greater than whatever it is that you’re currently doing, or thinking about, however important you think it is. When the call to prayer was made while the Prophet ﷺ was at home with his family, he became – contrary to his usual demeanor – distracted and detached. It was as if he did not know anyone around him. He would be so immersed in the beautiful meanings of the words, that it would feel as if he wasn’t there anymore.

These days, we hear the athan in the background as we continue doing whatever we are doing, not realizing how hypocritical this is. If indeed we believe that Allah is greater than anything we can think of, then our actions need to be in line with the words on our tongues and the beliefs in our hearts. If we can change how we respond to the athan, then maybe it’s the beginning of changing our experience of the salah as well. 

Here are 3 things that will transform your relationship with the athan, and in turn increase your experience of salah, insha’Allah (God willing):

1. When you start actively noticing the athan, repeat after the muathin.

This was the Prophet’s ﷺ recommendation himself ¹Not sure what to say when? Check Fortress of the Muslim’s guidance. . Instead of treating it like some background noise that you’re used to hearing every day, you will get a chance to think about the meaning of the words that are being said, and really feel them, which will in turn help prepare you for prayer insha’Allah. The words of the athan were chosen as the means by which Allah calls us to Him. The least we could do is pay attention and repeat them. 

2. Ask Allah to elevate the status of our Prophet ﷺ

You do this by sending your blessings on him ﷺ and by saying this duaa: 

On the Day of Judgement, all the prophets will be preoccupied with what will happen to them and will send their people away except for our beloved Prophet Muhamad ﷺ. He will intercede for everyone in his ummah, until he’s allowed to take the last Muslim out of hell fire, and with the mercy of Allah, secure their entry into paradise.The Prophet ﷺ mentioned that whoever says this duaa right after the athan will be granted his intercession on the Day of Judgement so don’t pass up this opportunity for guaranteed intercession and entry into paradise!

3. Ask Allah Anything

After the athan is completed and you have made your requests on behalf of the Prophet ﷺ, make duaa. Any requests you make between athan and iqama will insha’allah be answered. Lots of us wait from year to year, to witness the night of destiny in Ramadan, so we can get our sins forgiven and our duaas answered, but we forget that we have the opportunity to do the same thing 5 times every single day! Taking this time between the call to prayer and the initiation of prayer to ask Allah for your needs will help soften you towards the experience of standing before Allah you will be doing shortly. It’s a perfect design by Allah ﷻ to help you enjoy and gain more out of your prayer. By humbling yourself and showing your vulnerability to Him just a few moments before you pray, you will be more engaged and emotional while you pray. 

The athan is another key into a greater experience of salah. Give it its due so that it can lift you. 

May Allah bless.