Iqamah is the second call to prayer after the adhan in Islam, intended to summon the faithful to congregate for worship. It follows after the fajr (dawn) prayer and precedes the five daily prayers (salat). The iqamah is a short declaration in Arabic that informs the congregation that the prayer is about to begin. It is recited by the muezzin standing in the minaret of the mosque.
Understanding Iqamah: The Call to Prayer in Islam
Iqamah is the second call to prayer in Islam, recited immediately before the beginning of salat (obligatory prayers). It is similar to the adhan, the first call to prayer, but contains some additional elements. Here’s a detailed explanation of the meaning and structure of iqamah:
Meaning of Iqamah
Iqamah means “to stand up” in Arabic. It derives from the verb “qama,” which means “to rise” or “to establish.” The iqamah symbolizes the readiness of the congregation to perform salat and move into the prayer space.
Structure of Iqamah
Iqamah closely resembles the adhan, but it has some distinctions and includes additional phrases:
- Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest): Repeated four times.
- Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah): Repeated twice.
- Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah): Repeated twice.
- Hayya ‘alas-salah (Come forth for the prayer): Repeated twice.
- Hayya ‘alal-falah (Come forth for success): Repeated twice.
- Qad qamatis-salah (The prayer has begun): Repeated twice.
- Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest): Repeated twice.
- La ilaha illallah (There is no god but Allah): Stated once.
Distinction from Adhan
The main difference between the adhan and the iqamah is the addition of the phrases “Hayya ‘alas-salah” (“Come forth for the prayer”) and “Hayya ‘alal-falah” (“Come forth for success”). These phrases urge the congregation to gather for the prayer. Another distinction is that the iqamah is typically recited in a quieter voice than the adhan.
Table of Iqamah Elements
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Allahu Akbar | God is the Greatest |
| Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah | I bear witness that there is no god but Allah |
| Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah | I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah |
| Hayya ‘alas-salah | Come forth for the prayer |
| Hayya ‘alal-falah | Come forth for success |
| Qad qamatis-salah | The prayer has begun |
| La ilaha illallah | There is no god but Allah |
Question 1: What is the meaning of iqamah?
Answer: Iqamah is an Islamic call to prayer that is made immediately before the start of a mandatory prayer.
Question 2: What is the purpose of iqamah?
Answer: Iqamah serves as a notification that the time for prayer has arrived and that worshippers should prepare to offer their prayers.
Question 3: Who is responsible for making the iqamah?
Answer: The muezzin, or caller to prayer, is typically responsible for making the iqamah, although any Muslim can make the call if a muezzin is not present.
Alright my friend, that’s the gist of what Iqamah is all about. It’s not just a call to prayer, it’s a reminder of our connection to God and to each other. I hope you found this article helpful and enlightening.
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