At the origin of this beautiful call answering to the sweet name of "Adhan", the muezzin. A central figure in the beautiful religion of Islam. But what exactly is a muezzin, and what is his function in particular? Does he have to observe any specific qualities to exercise this particular role? And what rewards will he receive for the precious words he utters every day? These are just some of the questions we'd like to discuss with you. An overview of the muezzin's profession. A particularly precious and magnificently rewarded position.
Who exactly is the muezzin?
The muezzin is none other than the person who makes the call to prayer. This call is known in Arabic as the adhan. Literally translated as "the announcement". In fact, at each obligatory prayer, the muezzin takes care to announce the entrance to the hour of prayer concerned.
Whether it's Fajr, Dhor, Maghrib or 3icha, the muezzin will warn anyone in the vicinity of the mosque who might hear him. The announcement made by the muezzin is made through very specifically determined words. Let's take a look at some of them.
What does the muezzin say during the call to prayer?
In Arabic, the muezzin will utter the following words: "Allahou Akbar, Allahou Akbar. Allahou Akbar, Allahou Akbar. Ach-hadou alla ilaha illa-llah. Ach-hadou alla ilaha illa-llah. Ach-hadou anna Muhammadoun-Rasouloullah. Ach-hadou anna Muhammadoun-Rasouloullah. Haya 'ala-s-Salah, haya 'ala-s-Salah. Haya 'ala-l-falah, haya' ala-l-falah. Allahou Akbar, Allahou Akbar. La ilaha illa-llah".
Which translates into French as: "Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah. I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Make haste to Prayer, Make haste to Prayer. Make haste for true success. Make haste for true success. Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. There is none worthy of worship but Allah".
So this is what the muezzin repeats at every call to prayer. That said, there is one exception we'd like to highlight.
The dawn prayer: an exception in the muezzin's call to prayer
As soon as day breaks, the muezzin sets about waking up the members of the community. So that they can perform the prayer most beloved by the Creator of all mankind. And this precise call to the dawn prayer has a particularity of its own.
Indeed, the adhan contains a difference confirmed by the Sunnah and its reported sayings.
Indeed, it is reported that Abu Mahdhura said: "O Messenger of Allah, teach me the prophetic tradition in the call to prayer" he taught him and added: "If it was for the dawn prayer you say: ' Prayer is better than sleep (2 times) - Allah Akbar Allah Akbar - La ilaha illa Allah." (Hadith reported by Ahmad and Abou Daoud).
Clearly, the importance of the message and the role of the muezzin in particular are of the utmost importance. He is entrusted with a very precious mission. For this reason, the muezzin must respect certain conditions in order to carry out his mission successfully. For this mission is one of immense merit, with clearly significant rewards.
The muezzin's sublime rewards
It is reported from Abu Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, that a man came to the Prophet and said: "I have no mount. Give me a mount. The Prophet said, "I have none.
Another man said, "O Messenger of Allah! I will show him a person who will make him ride with her. The Prophet said: "Whoever shows a good has the same reward as the one who did it". (Reported by Mouslim in his Sahih n°1893)
We have quoted this hadith in particular because it perfectly illustrates one of the basic principles of our beautiful religion. Indeed, if the one who shows a good deed is like the one who did it, imagine the merit of the muezzin.
So the reward is commensurate with the immense importance of the call made by the muezzin. And to give you an idea of what the muezzin is entitled to, the Sunnah points to certain privileges he will enjoy.
Precise haadiths
Indeed, it is reported from Mu'âwiyah: "I heard the Messenger of Allah say: ' The muezzins will be the people with the longest necks on the Day of Resurrection.' " Reported by Muslim.
Scholars have explained, among other things, that this hadith is a way of emphasizing the value and illustrating the nobility of the muezzin. This being who proclaims loud and clear the greatness of Allah and the beauty of pure monotheism. In particular, he who testifies loudly and sublimely that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
This hadith is also intended to highlight the one who calls for priceless prayer and sincere success. In addition to this, another hadith gives some details about the muezzin's rewards.
According to 'Abdallah Ibn 'Omar, the Prophet said: " Whoever performs the adhan for 12 years, paradise is obligatory for him. Each time, 60 good deeds are recorded for him, and 30 good deeds for the iqama ". (Reported by Ibn Maja and authenticated by Sheikh Albani in Silsila Sahiha n°42)
It's clear, then, that the role of muezzin is one of great importance and sublime merit. The muezzin must therefore be a reliable and trustworthy person to be able to exercise this profession. Like the muezzin widely known as the first. We end by telling you about the first muezzin, a man of loyalty
Bilal, the first muezzin of the Muslim religion
In the first year of the Hegira, the Prophet appointed Bilal Al Habâchi the Abyssinian as muezzin . One of the first Muslims to convert, Bilal preferred to be humiliated rather than obey the polytheists, with the sole aim of obtaining the pleasure of Allah the One. ( Sahîhou ibn Hibbân vol 15 p 558).
He was chosen by the Prophet precisely because of his voice. As evidenced by the hadith which reports that the messenger said to Abdullah Ibn Zayd: "Teach the adhan to Bilal, for his voice is softer than yours ". But also for his great qualities, which we'll tell you about just before we leave you.
The man's qualities
When we speak of Bilal, we're inevitably describing a man of faith, humble and faithful.
As proof, one day he was asked by our beloved Prophet: "O Bilal, what is the best work you have done during your Islam, and for which you hope Allah's reward and forgiveness? In paradise, I heard the rustling of your shoes in front of me!" Bilal replied: " Hoping for Allah's reward and forgiveness, I have accomplished nothing better than praying as much as Allah wills every time I ablute myself, whether in the evening or in the morning. " (Reported by Muslim.).
This hadith clearly demonstrates the great humility shown by this first muezzin. His status as a muezzin was attributed to these qualities in particular. This must be perpetuated by all the muezzins of the community. We ask Allah to reward them and elevate them in degrees.