Is The Iqama To Be Repeated After, Like The Adhan? or Is It An Innovation?
Question: السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته، My question is: After the Iqama ends, some people repeat its final words, saying "La ilaha illallah," or recite the complete Shahadah before the opening Takbir. Is it Sunnah to repeat the words of the Iqama after the Muadhin, just as is done with the Adhan, or is this considered an innovation? Is there any prescribed supplication that a Muslim can say between the Iqama and the opening Takbir? جزاكم الله خيرًا.
Summary:
First: Repeating the two testimonies of faith or saying "La ilaha illallah" after the Iqamah has ended, as an act of worship that one consistently observes before the opening Takbir, considering it a specific remembrance prescribed for this occasion, is an innovation that has no basis in the Sunnah. This is because there is no established evidence for specifying this time for such remembrance. Second: As for repeating the words of the Iqamah along with the one calling it, just as the words of the Adhan are repeated, this is a matter concerning which the scholars have differed. Some jurists held that doing so is recommended, citing the general meaning of the Prophet's statement: "When you hear the Muadhdhin, say what he says." They also cited the fact that the Iqamah has been referred to as an Adhan in the Sunnah. Third: No specific supplication has been authentically established to be recited after the Iqamah ends and before the opening Takbir. Rather, what is prescribed for the worshipper is to pronounce the opening Takbir with the Imam and then recite the opening supplication after the opening Takbir.
Answer:
First: The Fundamental Principle Regarding Remembrance and Acts of Worship Is That They Must Be Based on Revelation
From the Qur'an:
- [Ash-Shura: 21]
"Or have they other deities who have ordained for them a religion to which Allah has not consented?"
- [Al-Hashr: 7]
"And whatever the Messenger has given you, take; and what he has forbidden you, refrain from."
From the Sunnah:
- Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.It was narrated from Aishah رضي الله عنها that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Whoever introduces into this matter of ours something that is not part of it, it will be rejected."
Therefore, the fundamental principle is that acts of remembrance restricted to a particular time or occasion cannot be prescribed specifically for that time or occasion except with evidence. Accordingly, there is no evidence for specifically repeating the two testimonies of faith or saying "La ilaha illallah" after the Iqamah has ended, considering it an independent Sunnah. As for saying "La ilaha illallah" in general, it is among the greatest forms of remembrance. However, the discussion concerns specifying this particular occasion for it and consistently observing it as a Sunnah.
Second: The Ruling on Repeating the Words of the Iqamah Along with the One Calling It
From the Sunnah:
- Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.It has been authentically narrated from Abu Said Al-Khudri رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"When you hear the call to prayer, say what the Muadhdhin says."
- Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.It has also been authentically narrated from Abdullah bin Mughaffal رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Between every two calls to prayer there is a prayer, between every two calls to prayer there is a prayer." Then he ﷺ said the third time: "For whoever wishes."
What is meant by the two calls to prayer is the Adhan and the Iqamah. Thus, the Hadith indicates that the Iqamah may also be referred to as an Adhan. Based on this, some scholars used the general command to respond to the Muadhdhin as evidence that it is also recommended to respond to the one calling the Iqamah. This reasoning has a valid basis. However, the fact that the Iqamah is referred to as an Adhan does not necessarily mean that it shares all the same rulings as the Adhan. For this reason, the scholars differed concerning this matter.
Third: The Opinions of the Scholars Regarding Repeating the Iqamah
From the Scholars:
- The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta:
The Committee stated that the Sunnah is for the one listening to the Iqamah to repeat what the person calling the Iqamah says, because it is a second Adhan. Thus, when hearing the phrases calling people to prayer and success, one should say: "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah." And when the caller says: "Qad qamatis-salah" (The prayer is about to begin), one should repeat the same words and should not say: "Aqamahallahu wa adamaha" (May Allah establish it and perpetuate it), because the Hadith mentioning this phrase is weak.
- Shaykh Abdul Aziz bin Baz رحمه الله:
He was asked: "Should one repeat after the person calling the Iqamah, just as one does with the Adhan?" He answered: "Yes, it is recommended to respond to the one calling the Iqamah just as one responds to the Muadhdhin."
- Shaykh Muhammad bin Salih Al-Uthaymin رحمه الله:
He held that repeating the words of the Iqamah is not Sunnah. This is because the Hadith specifically concerning following the one calling the Iqamah is questionable, and the command to respond to the Muadhdhin does not necessarily include the Iqamah.
Therefore, this matter is among the issues of scholarly reasoning concerning which the scholars have differed. It is not correct to declare someone who repeats the words of the Iqamah to be engaging in innovation when they are following the opinion that considers it recommended.
Fourth: Should One Say "Aqamahallahu wa Adamaha"? It has been narrated that when the person calling the Iqamah says: "Qad qamatis-salah" (The prayer is about to begin), the Prophet ﷺ said: "Aqamahallahu wa adamaha" (May Allah establish it and perpetuate it). Narrated by Abu Dawud. However, this Hadith is weak because its chain of narration contains an unidentified narrator, and Shaykh Al-Albani رحمه الله classified it as weak. Therefore, whoever follows the opinion that responding to the Iqamah is recommended should say: "Qad qamatis-salah" (The prayer is about to begin), when hearing the same phrase, just as the person calling the Iqamah says it. Fifth: Is There a Prescribed Supplication Between the Iqamah and the Opening Takbir?
From the Scholars:
- Shaykh Ibn Baz رحمه الله said:
"This is Sunnah after the Adhan, and the Iqamah is a second Adhan, so it is said after it."
- He رحمه الله also said:
"This is prescribed after the Adhan and after the Iqamah. When he says, 'La ilaha illallah,' just as the Muadhdhin says, he should then say: 'Allahumma salli wa sallim ala Rasulillah' (O Allah, send prayers and peace upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ), or he may recite the Ibrahimic prayer. Then he should say: 'Allahumma Rabba hadhihid-dawatit-tammah, was-salatil-qaimah, ati Muhammadanil-wasilata wal-fadilah, wabathhu maqaman mahmudanilladhi waadtah.' (O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and the established prayer, grant Muhammad ﷺ Al-Wasilah and Al-Fadilah, and raise him to the praised station which You have promised him.)"
Conclusion: The stronger opinion is that repeating the words of the Iqamah along with the one calling it is prescribed, due to the general evidence concerning responding to the Muadhdhin and because the Prophet ﷺ referred to the Iqamah as an Adhan. This is the opinion of the majority of jurists and the position chosen by Shaykh Ibn Baz رحمه الله and the Permanent Committee. As for specifically repeating the two testimonies of faith in full after the Iqamah has ended, or repeating "La ilaha illallah" once again as an independent Sunnah before the opening Takbir, this has no basis. It constitutes an innovation if it is consistently observed as a specifically prescribed act of worship. A distinction must be made between saying "La ilaha illallah" while following the person calling the Iqamah at its conclusion, which is prescribed according to the stronger opinion, and repeating it after the Iqamah has completely ended, considering it a specific form of remembrance for that occasion. There is no evidence for the latter.
And Allah knows best.
← Back to QuestionsRelated Answers
What Must a Person Do If They Missed Some Prayers During a Period of Time?
What should one do if they missed prayers for a period of time. Not all prayers, Not all prayers, but for example, on a certain day he may have missed Ṣalāt al-‘Aṣr and al-Maghrib, while praying the rest of the prayers. This occurred when he was young and did not realize the seriousness of the sin. As for now, he consistently preserves all of his prayers and is careful regarding them. He also cannot determine the number of prayers he missed, nor exactly which prayers they were. Rather, he only wishes to clear himself of liability and have a clean record with Allah.
Is the Prayer of a Person Standing Alone in a Row Valid?
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته I have a question regarding a person praying alone in a row in Congregational Prayer. If a person from takbir to sujood prays alone, without anyone by his sides, is his prayer valid?. Also, if a person who is about to start a new row before joining the prayer sees that there is no one there to join him till he goes to sujood, should he wait until someone joins him to pray by his side or should he join the prayer by himself, starting a new row? جزاك الله خيرا
How Should I Deal with My Father Who Has Become Negligent in His Prayers?
As salamu alikum My father used to be upon the Salafi creed and studied with scholars when he was young. He used to follow the Sunnah closely. After we moved to the West, he gradually changed. Now he rarely prays, especially Fajr on time, and does not attend the masjid even though it is close. He still fasts. I have advised him, and he says it is a weakness in īmān and that he will try to improve, but I have not seen much change. I used to wake him for Fajr, but he would brush me off. Sometimes when I go to the masjid and inform him, he joins me. My questions are: What is the best way for me to advise my father in this situation? What is the best duʿā’ to make for him? When he comes to the masjid, he sometimes leads the prayer because people know his past as a student of knowledge. Is the ṣalāh behind him valid if he is negligent in his prayers? Should I make duʿā’ for his guidance only, or is it permissible to also ask Allah to have mercy on him? Jazākum Allāhu khayran.
What Is the Ruling on Jumu'ah When Eid and Jumu'ah Fall on the Same Day, and Is It Better to Attend?
Asalamualaikum Wa rahmatulAllah Wa Barakatuh,What is the Rulling on Friday prayer when Eid and Friday are on the same day, should a person attended Friday prayer or not, is it better to attended or not? JazakumAllah khair
Is Fear of People’s Perception Before Prayer a Sin or Does It Affect the Validity of the Prayer?
As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh, Shaykh. Whenever I attend congregational Ṣalāh, I normally need to prepare myself before joining the prayer. For example, I may need to remove and place my glasses, cap and keys safely on the ground, put my phone on silent, and make sure that my belongings will not disturb anyone. While doing this, two thoughts enter my mind. First, I am concerned about not disturbing the people around me. Second, I begin worrying that others may be watching me and thinking that my behaviour is strange, that I have OCD, or that I am mentally unstable. Because of this fear of how people might perceive me, I feel pressured to start my prayer immediately. Me having this people’s perception constitute any sin or affect my Salaah in any way ? My Salah valid?
What Is the Ruling on Wearing the Niqab During Prayer?
Salam wa alakium, why cant women wear niqab during salah? If hijab is not male cantered because we wear it in our homes when praying, then is niqab male centered ? JazakAllahu Khairun
Is It Better to Lead the Prayer or Refrain From Doing So Out of Fear of Showing Off?
Honorable Shaykh, I have a question regarding leading the prayer. Very often, the people of the mosque put me forward to lead the prayer because there are few people among them who are proficient in recitation, and there is no regular imam, even though it is one of the largest mosques in the area. Sometimes, I find within myself a desire to lead the prayer because I enjoy reciting over the microphone, and I want the reward connected to those who pray behind me. At the same time, however, I am very afraid of falling into showing off or of my intention becoming corrupted. Sometimes, I feel that I only go to the mosque in order to lead the people in prayer, even though it is only a few steps away from my house. By Allah, I am suffering because of this matter. How should I deal with these feelings? When the people put me forward to lead the prayer, should I accept and willingly step forward, or is it better for me to leave it to someone else out of fear of showing off?
Is It Permissible to Delay Maghrib Prayer and Breaking the Fast Because of a Lesson?
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته If a dars take place till 7:30pm, when magrib prayer happens, and the brothers delay the magrib salah as the dars has not finished yet. Is it permissible for them to not attend the salah in the masjid, instead pray in jama'ah with each other afterwards? Is it permissible to delay breaking one's fast, as well, until the dars is over? What is the correct rulling on these? جزاك الله خيرا
What Is the Difference in Shortening the Prayer Between a Traveler Who Knows the Length of His Stay and One Who Does Not?
What is the main difference regarding shortening the prayer between a traveler who knows how long he will stay in a city and a traveler who does not know how long he will stay there?