The Recommended Response to the Adhan

Question
What is the meaning of the recommended response to the Adhan?
Answer

That is to say what the muezzin says; as narrated by Abu Saeed, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "When you hear the call, say what the muezzin says," in Sahih al-Bukhari 1: 221, and Sahih Muslim 1: 288, except for when he says: 'Hayya 'ala-s-Salah, Hayya 'ala-l-Falah'; instead, he should say: 'There is no power and no strength except with Allah, the Most High, the Great,' because repeating that resembles mimicry and mockery. Similarly, when the muezzin says: 'As-salatu khayrun min an-nawm' (prayer is better than sleep), the listener does not repeat it, but says: 'You have spoken the truth and done well,' or something that earns reward. As narrated by Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "When the muezzin says: 'Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,' and one of you says: 'Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,' then he says: 'Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah,' and he says: 'Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah,' then he says: 'Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasul Allah,' and he says: 'Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasul Allah,' then he says: 'Hayya 'ala-s-Salah,' and he says: 'There is no power and no strength except with Allah,' then he says: 'Hayya 'ala-l-Falah,' and he says: 'There is no power and no strength except with Allah,' then he says: 'Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,' and he says: 'Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,' then he says: 'La ilaha illa Allah,' and he says: 'La ilaha illa Allah' from his heart, he will enter Paradise," in Sahih Muslim 1: 289. See: Bada'i as-Sana'i 1: 205.

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