Calling the Athaan When Away from the Mosque

18-1-2003 | IslamWeb

Question:

I am a young Muslim living in a non-Muslim country. It is impossible for me to perform all prayers in a mosque. So, I want to know is it permissible for me to call Azan in my house before praying?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

May Allah grant you success. Know that calling the Athaan is a collective duty (i.e. if done by some, others will be free from the obligation and sin) since the Prophet ordered that only one person should call the Athaan for each group. He said: “When the time for prayer becomes due, one has to call the Athaan and then the oldest person should lead the prayer.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

So, if you hear the Athaan or your house is near the mosque and you can perform the prayer in congregation without some hardship, then it is not Islamically required to call the Athaan at your house since you would pray at the mosque with Muslims. But, if you do not hear the Athaan or your house is so far and you cannot go to the mosque, then it is desirable to call the Athaan and Iqaamah even if you are alone. This opinion is supported by evidence in general.

Al-Bukhaari reported from Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri that the Prophet said: “I see that you are fond of sheep and the wilderness (the desert). So, whenever you are with your sheep or in the wilderness and you want to call the Athaan for the prayer, raise your voice in doing so, for whoever hears the Athaan, whether a human being, a jinn or any other creature, will be witness for you on the Day of Resurrection.” Abu Sa'eed added: “I heard this narration from the Prophet .”

By the way, it is not legal to perform the Athaan before its prescribed fixed time starts.

Allah knows best.