The rules of the call to prayer (adhan) on Friday
Why Friday has two calls to prayer, when each is given, and why trading is not allowed once the first one is heard.
Friday has two calls to prayer (adhan), not just one, like the other five daily prayers, but with an extra one added just for Jumu'ah.
The two calls to prayer on Friday
- The first adhan is given outside the mosque, in a high place, right when Zuhr time begins. It tells everyone it is time to come to the mosque.
- The second adhan is given inside the mosque, right in front of the imam, once he has sat down on the pulpit ready to start the sermon. It tells the people already inside to stop talking and listen.
Both calls to prayer, and the iqamah too, are confirmed sunnah on Friday. The iqamah is said after the sermon finishes.
As soon as the first adhan on Friday is heard, every Muslim (who has to attend Jumu'ah) must stop what they are doing and head to the mosque. Buying, selling or doing other work at this point is not allowed.
1Where Jumu'ah can validly be held, calling the adhan and iqamah for a Zuhr prayer instead is severely disliked (makruh tahrimi), whether the person had a real excuse to miss Jumu'ah or not, and whether they pray it before or after Jumu'ah has finished.
Answering the calls to prayer
- It is sunnah to answer the first adhan (repeat the words quietly).
- You do not have to answer the second adhan.
- It is recommended to answer the iqamah.
As with the five daily prayers, the adhan on Friday is a confirmed sunnah, but Friday carries a second adhan as well, also sunnah.
The two calls to prayer on Friday
- The first adhan is given once the sun has passed its zenith, at the time of Zuhr, outside the mosque in a high place, so that people can be called to assemble.
- The second adhan is given inside the mosque, in front of the imam once he has taken his seat on the pulpit to deliver the sermon, so those already inside know to leave off extra prayers and fall silent.
Saying the iqamah for the Friday prayer is likewise sunnah; it is said once the sermon is complete.
On hearing the first adhan of Friday, it is obligatory for all those addressed by Jumu'ah to leave their business and head to the mosque; engaging in buying, selling, or any other work at this point is not permissible.
1Where all the conditions for a valid Jumu'ah exist in a place, calling the adhan and iqamah there for a Zuhr prayer instead is severely disliked (makruh tahrimi), regardless of whether the person praying Zuhr had a valid excuse, and regardless of whether they pray it before or after Jumu'ah concludes.
Answering the calls to prayer
- Responding to the first adhan of Friday is sunnah.
- Responding to the second adhan is not necessary.
- Responding to the iqamah is recommended.
The adhan on Friday is, as with the five daily prayers, sunnah mu'akkadah; uniquely, a second adhan is added, also sunnah mu'akkadah.
The two calls to prayer on Friday
- The first adhan is called at the start of Zuhr time, once the sun has passed its zenith, outside the mosque in an elevated place, for the general assembling of the people.
- The second adhan is called inside the mosque, before the imam, once he has taken his seat on the minbar to deliver the khutbah; its purpose is to signal to those already inside to leave off nafl prayers and observe silence.
The iqamah for the Friday prayer is sunnah mu'akkadah as well, and is called only once the khutbah has been completed.
Upon the first adhan of Friday, it becomes obligatory upon everyone addressed by the obligation of Jumu'ah to abandon trade and proceed to the mosque; transacting business, or engaging in any other worldly occupation, from this point is not permissible; the basis for this is the Qur'anic command to leave off trade at the call to prayer.
1Where all the conditions for the validity of Jumu'ah are present in a locality, calling the adhan and iqamah there for Zuhr instead is makruh tahrimi; this holds whether the person offering Zuhr had a shar'i excuse for missing Jumu'ah or not, and whether the Zuhr is offered before Jumu'ah or after it has concluded.
Answering the calls to prayer
- Responding to the first adhan of Friday is sunnah.
- Responding to the second adhan is not required.
- Responding to the iqamah is mustahabb.
This is the English translation of Nisab Ahle Khidmaat Sharia, exactly as the book has it, for the passages this page was written from. About 309 words. Switch back to Guide for the rewritten version.
Rulings Regarding Friday Prayer 5. Rules of the Adhan for Friday
- Just like the five daily prayers, the Adhan for Friday prayer is a confirmed Sunnah. Additionally, a second Adhan for Friday is also Sunnah [The first call to prayer is for the general public to assemble, and the second call is for those inside the mosque to know that the sermon is about to begin, instructing them to avoid extra prayers and be silent.]. The first Adhan is given after the sun passes its zenith, i.e., at the time of Dhuhr, outside the mosque on a high place. The second Adhan is called inside the mosque in front of the Imam when he sits on the pulpit for delivering the sermon.
- Saying the Iqamah for the Friday prayer is also Sunnah. The Iqamah should be said after the sermon is completed.
- Upon hearing the first Adhan of Friday, it is obligatory for all Muslims to leave their business and head to the mosque for Friday prayer. Engaging in buying, selling, or any other work at this time is not permissible.
- For villagers or those living in the wilderness, where Friday prayer is not obligatory, if they perform Dhuhr prayer in congregation, it is permissible for them to give Adhan and Iqamah.
- If, in a place where all conditions for the validity of Friday prayer exist, someone gives Adhan and Iqamah for Dhuhr prayer on Friday, it is severely disliked (Makrooh Tahrimi), whether they perform Dhuhr due to a valid excuse or without one, and whether they pray before or after the Friday prayer concludes.
- Responding to the first Adhan of Friday is Sunnah, but responding to the second Adhan is not necessary. Responding to the Iqamah is recommended.
- If someone is eating and the Friday Adhan starts, and there is a fear of missing the Friday prayer, they should stop eating and head to the mosque for the prayer.
Related
- The conditions for the Eid prayers The Eid prayer shares its conditions with the Friday prayer (Jumu'ah), but differs on the sermon, the calls to prayer (adhan and iqamah), and where it may be held.
- The method of offering the Friday sermon and prayer The units (rak'ahs) of the Friday prayer (Jumu'ah) in order, the intention to use, who may lead, and step by step how the imam moves from the sermon into the prayer.
- The rules of the call to prayer (adhan) and the iqamah, and when an adhan counts Who must give the call to prayer (adhan), when it is and isn't required, and the four conditions that make an adhan valid.
- The rulings of the Eid sermon The Eid sermon (khutbah) follows the Friday sermon's rules with three exceptions: no sitting first, an opening and closing takbir, and its own subject matter.