Adhan

The Adhan (Arabic: أَذَان), also spelled Azān, is the Islamic call to prayer, recited to announce the beginning of the time for the obligatory daily prayers. It is performed by a Muezzin from a mosque's minaret, although it may also be recited elsewhere. The adhan is recited five times a day, corresponding to the five obligatory prayers: Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha. The adhan has historically been one of the most recognizable features of Muslim religious life and is commonly heard from mosques around the world. The wording of the adhan differs in some respects between Sunni and Shia traditions. In Shia Islam, the phrase meaning “Come to the best of deeds” is included in the adhan, while it is not part of the Sunni formulation. In Sunni Islam, the fajr adhan includes the phrase “Prayer is better than sleep,” which is not included in the Shia formulation. Shia Muslims traditionally recite declarations affirming Ali. However, they generally do not consider this phrase to be an obligatory part of the adhan, but rather recommended and commendable. The fundamental elements of the adhan, including the proclamation of God's greatness, His oneness, and Muhammad's prophethood, are shared by both branches.