Amidst the pandemonium of life, one is exposed to different varieties of sounds, some beneficial to us and some harmful. In most cases, listening to the sounds around us is a passive, involuntary action. However, if you voluntarily listen to the call to prayer as it echoes from the mosques, with awareness, with the proper intention, and with the proper etiquette and decorum, you can earn the rewards that will grant you the most wondrous thing ... paradise! It's true. Indeed our Lord is Al-Wadood (The most Loving) that He has given us so many opportunities to taste the bliss of paradise. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Paradise is affirmed for him who pronounces the adhan (call to prayer), sixty good deeds will be written for him, and for every iqamah, he will get thirty good deeds." [authentic Hadith, reported by Ibn Majah, authenticated by al-Albani] Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated, "We were with Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him), when Bilal got up and called for the prayer. When he finished, Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever says (the same words) as he says with certainty, will enter paradise." [An-Nisaa'i, authenticated by Al-Albani] One should realize the significance of the adhan, for it is the call to worship the King of the Kings, our Creator, Allah. Indeed the one who calls to such an important message is rewarded beautifully, just as the person who hears it and repeats it. Who ever thought that we would be rewarded with the gardens of paradise just for saying the adhan? We should appreciate how important the adhan is. In another Hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The mu'adhin (the one who calls for prayer) will be forgiven, as much as he raises his voice (with the adhan), and everything fresh and dry that hears him will ask forgiveness for him (in another version will witness for him or attest for him)." [Ahmad, Abu Dawoud, at-Tabarani, and authenticated by Al-Albani] Another amazing Hadith is narrated by Umar bin Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "When the Mu'adhin says, " (Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest)," and you say, "Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest", and when he says, "I testify that there is no God but Allah," you say, "I testify that there is no God but Allah". When he says, "I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah," you say, "I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah", and when he says, "Come to prayer", you say, "There is neither might nor any power except by Allah". When he says, "Come to success", you say, "There is neither might nor any power except by Allah". When he says, "Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest", then respond, "Allah is the Greatest". When he says, "There is no God but Allah), if you say from your heart (with sincerity), "There is no God but Allah," you will enter Paradise." [Sahih Muslim] If we listen carefully to the words of the call to prayer, we will realize that truly the adhan is one of the most important reminders. It is the reminder to salah (prayer), a reminder that indeed in salah is our success. Another beautiful Hadith: Isa bin Talhah said, "I was with Mu'awiyah bin Abu Sufyan when the Mu'adhin came in and called for prayer. Mu'awiyah said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say, "The ones who call for prayer will have the longest necks on the Day of Resurrection." [Sahih Muslim] This Hadith highlights how much we should value and respect the mu'adhin, and how much we should pay close attention to adhan. The mu'adhin receives rewards from Allah every time someone has heard the adhan and went to perform the prayer. The phrase "will have the longest necks" as mentioned in the above Hadith has been given different interpretations. It may mean that they are the ones who long for the mercy of Allah more than anyone else. Another interpretation is that their necks will grow longer on the Day of Requital and so sweat will not reach them, for everyone will sweat on that day depending on his deeds: sweat will reach up to one's ankles or knees or waists. In the case of some people, sweat will reach up to their mouths. Another interpretation is that those who call to prayer will have an honorable and great status on the Day of Judgment. Indeed, the case of men and women is strange; they keep running behind success, yet disregard the call to success. Therefore, I appeal to all my brothers and sisters to truly pay attention to the adhan and respond accordingly. We exhibit such keen concentration in so many other frivolities that take up our time. Our conscience ought to prick us the next time we ignore the adhan! Another excellent practice that I encourage Muslims to do is mentioned in the following Hadith. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "A supplication made between the adhan and the iqamah is not rejected." [Abu Dawud, authenticated by Al-Albani] Finally let us all always keep in mind the Hadith in which Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri said, "Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "Whenever you hear the adhan, say what the mu'adhin is saying." [Sahih Al-Bukhari] That is a simple task to do with great rewards, we just need to be more mindful and aware.
