Updated 04:56 PM,Dec 18,2022
Explanation of the Call to Prayer (Hayya ala al-Falah)
Allah commands His servants to perform prayer and has made it the greatest pillar of Islam after the two testimonies. He established the adhan (call to prayer) and iqama (call for the start of prayer), including the phrase "Hayya ala al-falah" in both. The word "Hayya" means "Come quickly and come forward," while "al-falah" signifies success and eternal prosperity.[1]
This is reflected in Allah's statement: (And whoever protects himself from greed, those are the ones who will succeed).[2] This means they are the ones who attain victory, or those whose entry into Paradise has been preordained.[1] Thus, "Hayya ala al-falah" translates to: "Come quickly and come forward toward the means of eternal life in Paradise," or "Come quickly and come forward toward success and triumph in this world and the next."[3]
What a Listener Should Say Upon Hearing (Hayya ala al-Falah)
Allah established the adhan as a public announcement that the time for prayer has arrived. It is also prescribed that believers repeat behind the muezzin. A hadith narrated by Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: (When you hear the call to prayer, say what the muezzin says).[4] However, when the muezzin reaches the phrase "Hayya ala al-falah," the listener should respond with: "There is no power or strength except through Allah." This is an exception to the general rule.
A hadith reported by Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) states that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: (When the muezzin says: "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar," you should say: "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar." When he says: "Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah," you say: "Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah." When he says: "Ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasulullah," you say: "Ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasulullah." Then when he says: "Hayya 'ala as-salah," you say: "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah." Then when he says: "Hayya 'ala al-falah," you say: "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah." Afterward, when he says: "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar," you say: "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar." And when he says: "La ilaha illa Allah," if you say it sincerely from your heart, Paradise is guaranteed for you).[5]
One must not repeat "Hayya ala al-falah" after hearing it from the muezzin, because the phrase means "Come forward toward the means of success in Paradise." It would be inappropriate for the listener to repeat it directly. Instead, it is more fitting to affirm one’s reliance on Allah’s power and strength, distancing oneself from personal ability.[6]
The Meaning of Al-Falah in the Quran
As previously mentioned, "al-falah" refers to success and eternal life. The term appears frequently throughout the Quran. Examples include:
- Allah says: (These are on guidance from their Lord, and these are the ones who will succeed).[7]
- Allah says: (Let there be among you a group calling to good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong—these are the ones who will succeed).[8]
- Allah says: (And whoever protects himself from greed, those are the ones who will succeed).[2]
This indicates that they are the successful ones, destined to dwell eternally in Paradise.[1] The word "al-falah" appears in the present tense in several verses, such as: (And who is more unjust than the one who fabricates falsehood about Allah or denies His signs? Indeed, the wrongdoers will never succeed).[9] And Allah says: (And the sorcerer will never succeed wherever he goes).[10]
References
- ^ A B C Badr al-Din al-‘Iny, Kitab Umdat al-Qari Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari, page 227. Slightly adapted.
- ^ A B Sura Al-Hashr, verse 9
- ↑ Al-Qadi ‘Iyad, Kitab Ikmal al-Mu‘allim bi-Fawa’id Muslim, page 252. Slightly adapted.
- ↑ Reported by al-Bukhari in Sahih al-Bukhari, from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, page or number: 611, authentic.
- ↑ Reported by Muslim in Sahih Muslim, from Umar ibn al-Khattab, page or number: 385, authentic.
- ↑ Abd al-Muhassin al-‘Abbad, Sharh Sunan Abi Dawud li al-‘Abbad, page 3. Slightly adapted.
- ↑ Sura Al-Baqarah, verse 5
- ↑ Sura Al-Imran, verse 104
- ↑ Sura Al-An'am, verse 21
- ↑ Sura Taha, verse 69
