The Sunnah upon hearing Athan ( Call to Prayer )

There are five Sunna actions (i.e. Prophetic actions) recommended by
the Prophet – Peace be upon him - Upon hearing the call for the prayer,
as mentioned in Zad Al Ma’ad Book, by Ibn Al Qayyem:
1- The hearer should repeat after the Mo’athen (The one who calls for
prayer) all words except when the Mo’athen says: (Hayyah Ala As-Sala
– i.e. hasten to the prayer) and (Hayyah Ala Al-Falah – i.e. hasten to
the salvation), the hearer should say (La Hawla Wala Quwata Ella Belllah
– i.e. there is no might and no power except by Allah). Narrated by
Al-Bukhari & Muslim.
The benefit of this Sunna: You will be rewarded with Paradise as stipulated
in Sahih Muslim.
2- The hearer should say: (Ashhadu An La Ilaha Ella Allah Wa
Anna Muhammadan Rasoulo Allah, Radito Bellah Raban, wa Bel
Islam Denan, wa be- Muhammaden Rasolua – i.e. I also bear
witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah
and that Muhammad is His Prophet, I am pleased with Allah as
my Lord , with Islam as my religion and with Muhammad as my
Prophet). Narrated by Muslim.
The benefit of this Sunna: Allah will forgive your sins, as stipulated in the
same prophetic tradition.
3- After the Mo’athen finishes the Athan (The call for prayer), you
should ask Allah’s blessings upon the Prophet (Peace be upon him), and
the best supplication which can be said in this regard is the «As-Salawat
Al Ibrahimiah» – as mentioned below. The Prophet – Peace be upon him
The Sunnah of Athan
(The recommendable actions when calling for the prayer)
– said: (When you hear the Mo’athen calling for the prayer, repeat
his words then ask Allah’s blessings upon me, because the
one who asks Allah’s blessings upon me once will be rewarded
ten blessings by Allah) narrated by Muslim.
The benefit of this Sunna: Allah will send ten blessings to the believer
i.e. Allah will praise such person at heaven.
The text of As-Salawat Al-Ibrahimiah is: (Allaahumma salli alaa
Muhammadin wa alaa aali Muhammadin, kamaa sallayta alaa
Ibraaheema wa alaa aali Ibraaheema innaka Hameedun Majeed.
Allahumma Baarik alaa Muhammadin wa alaa aali Mohammadin
kamaa baarakta alaa Ibraaheema wa alaa aali Ibraaheema
innaka Hameedun Majeed - i.e. O Allah, bestow your favor
on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad as You have
bestowed Your favor on Ibrahim and on the family of Ibrahim,
You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad
and the family of Mohammad as You have blessed Ibrahim and
the family of Ibrahim, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious) narrated
by Al Bukhari.
4- After asking Allah’s blessings upon the Prophet – Peace be upon
him – you should say: (Allahumma Rabba haathihid-dawatittammati
wassalatil-qaaimati, aati Muhammadanil waseelata
walfadheelata, wab’ath-hu maqaaman-mahmoodanil-lathee
wa’adtahu i.e. O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and established
prayer, grant Muhammad the intercession and favor, and raise
him to the honored station You have promised him) narrated by
Al Bukhari.
The benefit of this supplication: The one who says this supplication will
deserve the intercession of the Prophet – Peace be upon him.
5- Finally, you can ask Allah The Almighty anything for yourself and ask
the grace of Allah because your supplication will be answered this time;
the Prophet – Peace be upon him – said: (Repeat the words of the
Mo’athen and when you finish, ask Allah what you want and you
will get it) narrated by Abu Dawood, advocated by Al-Hafeth Ibn Hijr,
and authenticated by Ibn Hibban.
The total number of such Sunna actions if applied upon hearing the
Athan (The call for prayer) is (25) actions of Sunna.