Introduction
The Adhan and Iqamah are two of the most recognisable calls in Islam. They prepare the believer for prayer, announce that it is time to worship Allah, and help the heart move away from the world and toward the prayer.
In Shia Islam, both are highly recommended acts before the daily obligatory prayers. They are not just beautiful sounds. They are part of the spiritual atmosphere of prayer itself.
This article explains what the Adhan and Iqamah are, how they are structured, what the phrases mean, and what rules the research highlights about them.
What Are the Adhan and Iqamah?
Adhan
The Adhan is the primary Islamic call to prayer. It announces that the time of prayer has arrived and invites believers to worship Allah.
Iqamah
The Iqamah is the secondary call to prayer. It is recited immediately before the congregation stands to begin the physical prayer.
Their role in worship
In Islamic jurisprudence, both are considered recommended preparatory acts. In other words, they are part of the preparation for prayer, or Muqaddamat, and they help establish the prayer in a dignified and focused way.
Why Are the Adhan and Iqamah Important?
The research describes them as highly recommended before the daily obligatory prayers.
They matter because they do more than mark time. They prepare the soul.
A very important phrase in the Adhan is:
Hayya 'ala khayril-'amal
This means:
«“Hasten to the best of deeds.”»
That phrase is powerful because it reminds the believer that prayer is not just one activity among many. It is the best use of time when the call comes.
The Adhan and Iqamah also help the individual and the congregation leave worldly concerns behind and enter worship with focus.
Qur'anic Evidence
Surah Al-Jumu'ah 62:9
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ
«Ya ayyuhal-ladhina amanu idha nudiya lis-salati min yawmil-jumu'ati fas'au ila dhikrillah.»
«“O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu'ah, then proceed to the remembrance of Allah...”»
Surah Al-Jumu'ah (62:9)
Why this verse matters
This verse explicitly refers to the call to prayer. The research uses it to show that the Adhan is the divine signal for believers to leave other matters and go toward the remembrance of Allah.
Hadith Evidence
The research cites narrations in Tahdhib al-Ahkam and Wasa'il al-Shia regarding the structure of the Adhan and Iqamah.
These narrations establish:
- the exact number of phrases
- the correct order
- how the Iqamah differs from the Adhan
This matters because worship in Islam is not random. The wording and sequence carry meaning and are part of the religious form.
The Structure of the Adhan
The Adhan consists of 18 phrases.
Here is its structure in order:
| Phrase | Arabic | Transliteration | English meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 | الله أكبر | Allahu Akbar | Allah is the Greatest |
| 5–6 | أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله | Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah | I bear witness that there is no god but Allah |
| 7–8 | أشهد أن محمدًا رسول الله | Ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasulullah | I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah |
| 9–10 | حي على الصلاة | Hayya 'alas-salah | Hasten to prayer |
| 11–12 | حي على الفلاح | Hayya 'alal-falah | Hasten to success |
| 13–14 | حي على خير العمل | Hayya 'ala khayril-'amal | Hasten to the best of deeds |
| 15–16 | الله أكبر | Allahu Akbar | Allah is the Greatest |
| 17–18 | لا إله إلا الله | La ilaha illallah | There is no god but Allah |
Simple explanation
The Adhan begins with magnifying Allah, then testifying to faith, then calling people to prayer and success, then ending with the declaration of Allah’s oneness.
It is a spiritual announcement, not just an announcement of time.
The Structure of the Iqamah
The Iqamah consists of 17 phrases.
It is very similar to the Adhan, but there are two key differences:
- It includes “Qad qamat is-salah” twice
- It ends with “La ilaha illallah” once instead of twice
Key phrases in the Iqamah
Qad qamat is-salah
Arabic:
«قد قامت الصلاة»
Transliteration:
«Qad qamat is-salah»
English meaning:
«“The prayer has been established.”»
This phrase is repeated twice in the Iqamah and signals that the prayer is about to begin immediately.
Why this difference matters
The Adhan invites people to prayer. The Iqamah tells them the prayer is now starting.
That is the practical and spiritual difference between the two.
The Full Meaning of the Main Phrases
To help beginners understand, here are the core phrases in simple form:
Allahu Akbar
- Arabic: الله أكبر
- Transliteration: Allahu Akbar
- Meaning: Allah is the Greatest
Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah
- Arabic: أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله
- Transliteration: Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah
- Meaning: I bear witness that there is no god but Allah
Ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasulullah
- Arabic: أشهد أن محمدًا رسول الله
- Transliteration: Ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasulullah
- Meaning: I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
Hayya 'alas-salah
- Arabic: حي على الصلاة
- Transliteration: Hayya 'alas-salah
- Meaning: Hasten to prayer
Hayya 'alal-falah
- Arabic: حي على الفلاح
- Transliteration: Hayya 'alal-falah
- Meaning: Hasten to success
Hayya 'ala khayril-'amal
- Arabic: حي على خير العمل
- Transliteration: Hayya 'ala khayril-'amal
- Meaning: Hasten to the best of deeds
Qad qamat is-salah
- Arabic: قد قامت الصلاة
- Transliteration: Qad qamat is-salah
- Meaning: The prayer has been established
La ilaha illallah
- Arabic: لا إله إلا الله
- Transliteration: La ilaha illallah
- Meaning: There is no god but Allah
When Should the Adhan and Iqamah Be Said?
The research says they are legislated exclusively for the daily obligatory prayers.
That means they are used before the five daily prayers, not for every kind of prayer.
They are not valid for:
- Eid prayers
- Salat al-Ayat, also called eclipse or signs prayer
Using them for those prayers is described in the research as bid'ah, meaning an unlawful innovation.
The Third Testimony: What Is the Rule?
The phrase:
Ashhadu anna Aliyyan waliyyullah
means:
«“I bear witness that Ali is the wali of Allah.”»
The research makes an important distinction here:
- It is highly recommended as a general expression of faith
- It is not a formal part of the Adhan or Iqamah
- It must not be recited with the belief that it is an obligatory component
Why this matters
This is a careful point in Shia scholarship. The phrase may be recited in faith and devotion, but not as though it is an official, legislated part of the Adhan or Iqamah.
The research is clear that treating it as a required part would be bid'ah and haram.
Practical Guide: How to Approach the Adhan and Iqamah
Before starting, the worshipper should make a sincere intention, or niyyah, for the sake of Allah.
Recommended practice
- Recite the Adhan before the daily obligatory prayer
- Recite the Iqamah immediately before prayer begins
- Recite the third testimony as a general expression of faith, without believing it is a formal part of the prayer calls
What is not allowed
- Saying the third testimony as though it is an official part of the Adhan or Iqamah
- Reciting the Adhan or Iqamah for prayers other than the daily obligatory ones
The Wisdom Behind the Adhan and Iqamah
The phrase Hayya 'ala khayril-'amal is especially meaningful.
It tells the believer to move quickly toward the best deed. In other words, prayer should not feel like a burden. It should feel like the noblest thing to turn to.
The Adhan and Iqamah also change the atmosphere around the worshipper. They mark a transition:
- from noise to silence
- from business to worship
- from distraction to focus
- from the world to Allah
That is why they are so spiritually valuable.
What This Means for a Beginner
If you are new to this, the simplest way to understand the Adhan and Iqamah is this:
- Adhan says, “It is time to pray.”
- Iqamah says, “The prayer is about to begin.”
Both are beautiful acts of worship, and both prepare the heart for standing before Allah.
Key Takeaways
- The Adhan is the primary call to prayer.
- The Iqamah is the second call, said just before prayer begins.
- The Adhan has 18 phrases.
- The Iqamah has 17 phrases.
- The phrase Hayya 'ala khayril-'amal means “Hasten to the best of deeds.”
- The third testimony is recommended, but it is not a formal part of the Adhan or Iqamah.
- Adhan and Iqamah are for the daily obligatory prayers only.
Conclusion
The Adhan and Iqamah are much more than repeated phrases. They are spiritual signals that prepare the believer for prayer and remind the heart to turn back to Allah.
In Shia Islam, their structure, wording, and purpose are all important. The Adhan calls. The Iqamah prepares. Together, they create the right beginning for one of the greatest acts of worship.
For a beginner, learning these two calls is a strong first step toward understanding prayer more deeply.
FAQ
- What is the difference between the Adhan and Iqamah?
The Adhan announces the prayer time. The Iqamah is recited just before the prayer begins. - How many phrases are in the Adhan?
The Adhan has 18 phrases. - How many phrases are in the Iqamah?
The Iqamah has 17 phrases. - What does “Hayya 'ala khayril-'amal” mean?
It means “Hasten to the best of deeds.” - Is the third testimony part of the Adhan or Iqamah?
No. The research says it is not a formal part of either one. - Can I recite the Adhan and Iqamah for Eid prayer?
No. The research says they are for the daily obligatory prayers only. - What does “Qad qamat is-salah” mean?
It means “The prayer has been established.” - Why are the Adhan and Iqamah important?
They prepare the believer for worship, announce prayer time, and create a spiritual transition into prayer.