“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar…”

With these simple yet powerful words, a magnificent feature of Islam slowly comes into vision. A feature that is so spiritually enlightening and enthralling that it has often been the focal point of many others, drawing the attention and interests of people from every corner of the globe.
This special feature of Islam is none other than the Adhaan – the Muslim’s Call to prayer.

Many of us in non-Muslim countries often miss out on experiencing this beautiful act of the Muslims. Although we probably know the words of the Adhaan and have even pronounced it out loud ourselves, we cannot compare it to the same Adhaan that radiates and comes out of the minarets of the Mosques around the world. It’s a truly moving experience.

The Adhaan is something completely unique – nothing like it has ever been seen (or rather heard) in any other religion before. It is narrated by Ibn Umar that:

“When the Muslims arrived at Al-Madina, they used to assemble for As-Salaat (the prayer), and used to guess the time for it. During those days, the practise of Adhaan for the Salaat had not been introduced yet. Once they discussed this problem regarding the call for Salaat (prayer). Some people suggested the use of the bell like the Christians, others proposed a trumpet like the horn used by the Jews, but ‘Umar was the first to suggest that a man should call (the people) for Salaat; so Allah’s Messenger (saw) ordered Bilal to get up and pronounce the Adhaan for As-Salaat (the prayer).”
– Sahih Bukhari –

And so the very first call to prayer was established. The Wisdom behind selecting a human voice to call out to the people emerges through from generations to generations. No two voices are completely identical and this is what sets Islam different. The very fact that a human voice calls the people to worship and reminds every soul within hearing distance that ‘Allah is Greater’ is something that can only be held awe by those that truly do reflect.

 It’s not for any old meaningless reason that the Adhaan begins with “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is Greater) – as it is actually a reminder and a warning to those who believe in Allah and who really fear Him. It reminds the believer that it’s time to stand up in front of their Lord (for prayer), and it also warns the believer that whatever act he or she is involved in – at the time of Salaat – is nothing, because “Allah is Greater.”

 The effect of this can be observed out in the streets of any Muslim country. As soon as the Adhaan sets off and the call to prayer begins, shopkeepers leave their shops, workers leave their workplace, the streets are emptied and everything comes to a relieving standstill. When the world gets too busy and people become too absorbed into this Dunya (world), minutes fly by, hours swish past. When in this ‘Age of Technology’ it’s all about speed, speed and more speed, the Adhaan is the light that brings a welcoming halt to this forward-propelling, fast-moving world we seem to live in today , this terrible means of destruction.

 Five times a day, at every pinnacle of every build up of life’s issues, when people start to forget Allah (SWT), forget Islam and their future after death… when people become too busy and engrossed, not by reading Qur’aan or spending that extra pound on an orphan – but by shamelessly putting extra effort into this Dunya to reap the bitter fruits of this Dunya, when all these deeds of destruction and doom become planted in the hearts of the Ummah, replacing the fruitful deeds of Islam – the Adhaan comes forth with help. It calls back those faithful intellectuals and those willing to listen to the Call – the Call back to Allah (SWT), the Call back to Reality.

“Come to prayer, come to prayer
Come to success, come to success…”

Its intriguing words are a lifesaver and hold great Wisdom and sound advice. Respond to the Adhaan and not only will you have fulfilled the 2nd Pillar of Islam, but you’ll have shown obedience to your Lord – and what can be better than obedience to Allah (SWT) and Him being pleased with you? Respond to the Adhaan, which doesn’t just call to prayer – but has called many to Islam. Its words are a beauty that is food for the soul and a shining Light at a time of darkness.

 So my brothers and sisters this is a duty upon you. Respond not just to every call of the Adhaan but respond to Islam as a whole. Keep your duties to The One Who created you and know that Islam has set for you a system that never fails and a path that’s neither crooked nor ends at a dead end. Be smart and get on the bandwagon heading along Siraat Al-Mustaqeem (Straight Path).