Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
The great position that the Azaan holds in deen can be gauged by the esteemed rank which the mu’azzin enjoys in the sight of Allah Ta‘ala. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “On the Day of Qiyaamah, the mu’azzins will certainly have the ‘longest necks’ (i.e. positions of honour).” (Saheeh Muslim #387)
In one Hadith, it is mentioned that on the Day of Qiyaamah, the mu’azzins who used to call out the azaan for the five daily salaah will be in positions of honour, seated on mountains of musk, envied by all the people. (Sunan Tirmizi #2566)
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had also made special dua for the mu’azzins saying, “O Allah! Bless the mu’azzins with Your forgiveness!” (Sunan Abu Dawood #517)
In another Hadith, it is stated that the mu’azzin will receive forgiveness from Allah Ta‘ala for the distance his voice covers, and every creation, whether possessing life or not, will bear testimony on his behalf on the Day of Qiyaamah, and he will receive the reward of all those people who performed salaah on account of his call. (Sunan Nasai #645)
These are just a few of the great virtues recorded in the Mubaarak Ahaadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) pertaining to the Azaan and the mu’azzin.
The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) Responding to the Azaan
The great Mufassir (commentator) of the Qur’aan Majeed, Allaamah Qurtubi (rahimahullah), mentioned that during the blessed era of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), there were two Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma), one of whom was a trader and the other a blacksmith.
The condition of the Sahaabi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) who was a trader was such that the very instant he heard the azaan, he would leave whatever he was doing and proceed to the musjid for salaah. His concern for salaah was of such a level that if he had the scale in his hand when the azaan commenced, he would spontaneously drop it down, and if it was on the ground when the azaan commenced, he would not pick it up. In other words, he would not take the time to put it in its place with care, as he did not wish to be delayed in proceeding for salaah.
Similarly, when the blacksmith would hear the azaan, if his hammer was on the anvil, he would leave it where it was, and if he had raised it above his shoulder to strike the iron, he would spontaneously drop it behind his back and proceed for salaah. (Tafseer Qurtubi 15/294)
Allaamah Qurtubi (rahimahullah) mentioned that some Mufassireen are of the opinion that it was in regard to these two Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) that the following verse of the Qur’aan Majeed was revealed:
“(They are) men whom neither commerce nor trade distracts them from remembering Allah Ta‘ala, from performing salaah (in the musjid with jamaat) and from discharging zakaat. (This is due to the fact that) they fear a Day (of Judgement) wherein the hearts and eyes will (fearfully) turn about.” (Surah Noor v. 37)
When something enjoys a high position in deen, then generally, just as there will be virtues for those who uphold it, similarly there will also be warnings and admonishments for those who abandon it.
Admonishments for those who do not Come to the Musjid to Perform Salaah Despite Hearing the Azaan
In the Mubaarak Hadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “It is sufficient for a believer to be regarded as most unfortunate and a great loser that he hears the mu’azzin inviting to salaah, yet he does not respond to the call (and does not come to the musjid for salaah).” (Mu’jam Kabeer #396)
In another narration, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “It is the height of disrespect, a sign of ingratitude and an indication of hypocrisy that a person hears the mu’azzin of Allah Ta‘ala calling to salaah and inviting him to success, yet he does not respond to his call (and does not come to the musjid).” (Musnad Ahmed #15627)
No Reward for the Salaah Performed out of the Musjid without an Excuse for the One who Hears the Azaan
If a person hears the Azaan and does not come to the musjid for salaah, then even though he may perform his salaah later on individually, he will be sinful for not coming to the musjid for salaah and he will not receive any reward for his salaah.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The person who hears the azaan, while he does not have any valid excuse for not coming to the musjid and he is healthy (and able to come the musjid), yet he does not respond to the call, then there is no salaah for him (i.e. though he will be absolved of the obligation of salaah, he will not receive any reward).” (Mustadrak Haakim #899)
Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentioned, “There is no salaah for the neighbour of the musjid except when he performs his salaah in the musjid.” Someone asked Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), “Who is the neighbor of the musjid?” Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “The one who is (living at such a distance where he is) able to hear the azaan.” (Sunan Kubra lil-Bayhaqi #4943)
The Curse of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)
Furthermore, the one who, despite hearing the Azaan, leaves out coming to the musjid without a valid excuse, then such a person will be deserving of the curse of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) cursed the following three people; (1) the man who leads the people in salaah while they are unhappy with him (for some valid shar’ee reason), (2) the woman who spend the night in the condition that her husband is displeased with her (due to her not fulfilling his rights), (3) and the man who hears the words of the azaan “Hayya alal Falaah”, yet he does not respond to the call (by coming to the musjid for salaah). (Sunan Tirmizi #358)
May Allah Ta‘ala grant us the taufeeq of honoring the Azaan and coming to the musjid for salaah.
