FATAWA  REGARDING  DELAY  IN  CALLING  AZAN

By Allama ‘Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Bin Baz

Translated by Dr. Abul Hayat Ashraf

Question: We were in the form of groups. It was decided to observe Salat-al-Zuhar at its last timings. In such a case, will the Azan be called in initial timings or in last timings? Further, will our Salat be correct and proper without calling the Azan?

Answer: If you people happen to be in the city and there is no religious excuse, e.g. illness etc, then, it is necessary that you observe the Salat (prayer) in congregation in the company of Muslims in a mosque. The call of Azan of city-dwellers will suffice for anyone who observes salat at his home because of some Sharaee exuse and he will only call the Iqamah. However, if you happen to be in a forest, then, both the Azan and the Iqamah are necessary, because, according to the true doctrine, Azan and Iqamah are Fardhe-Kifaya (collective duties). Because the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) of Allah told him or some of his companions: “When the time of Salat comes, call the Azan, then call the Iqamah, then, the one who is oldest of you should act as your Imam”. In another narration the words are: “When the time of Salat comes, both of you call Azan and pronounce the Iqamah. “And he (the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) commanded Bilal in Madinah and Abu Mahzora in Makkah to call Azan and pronounce Iqamah. The Holy Apostle (S.A.W.) himself did pray in Madinah all five daily times prayer with Azan and Iqamah. This is a proof they are both obligatory. Further, the Holy Apostle (S.A.W.) has said: “offer the prayer the way you see me offering it”.

Whether you call the Azan in initial timings or in last timings, then, Allah willing, there will be no impediment in either of it, provided you happen to be in a forest. Preferable is only this that the Azan is called and the Salat is observed in initial timings. But, there is no impediment in it, if Azan and Salat are deferred so that Zuhar and ‘Asr are observed in one setting and Maghrib and ‘Isha are observed in another single setting when one is travelling, because it is allowable for a traveler, in the state of a travel, that he accords with either Jame-Takheer or Jame-Taqdeem as per his convince. However, if the travel is still going on, it is most excellent to defer Zuhar and observe it along with ‘Asr, provided that the journey was started before the sun began to set;

and, similarly, to defer Maghrib and observe it along with ‘Isha, because such practices are proven to be adopted by the distinguished Prophet (S.A.W.). Allah, the Most High said: “Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad, (S.A.W.) you have a good example to follow for him)” (Surah Al-Ahzab: 21)

And the Messenger of Allah has said: “Offer the prayer the way you saw me offering it”.