Azan - The Call For Prayers In The Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Adhan is the first call to prayer. The Adhan is uttered in a loud, albeit sweet melodious, voice to announce to the faithful that it is time for the Obligatory Prayer and to invite them to offer the prayers. Those who perform Adhan are known as 'Muedhin.' The honour of being the first Muedhin goes to Bilal, a black slave who converted to Islam. He had a very sweet, resonant and musical voice. He was appointed as Muedhin by the Prophet of Islam. The appointment of a black slave as the first person to call Muslims for prayers, shows that in Islam all human beings are treated as equals. Rich or poor, black or white, short or tall - all are equal in the eyes of Allah. It is the piety of each individual that makes the difference. Adhan is recited in a loud voice by the Muezzin facing the direction of the Ka'ba in the following words, which are said in the order mentioned: "Allahu Akbar" - recited FOUR times. Meaning, "Allah is Most Great."(four times) "Ash-hadu an la ilaha ill-Allah" - recited TWO times. Meaning, "I bear witness that there is none worthy of being worshipped except Allah."(twice) "Ash-hadu anna Muhammad-ar-Rasoolullah" - recited TWO times. Meaning, "I bear witness that Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah."(recited twice) "Hayya 'alas-Salah" - recited TWO times. Meaning, "Come to prayer."(turning the face alone to the right and saying it twice) "Hayya 'alal-falah" - recited TWO times. Meaning, "Come to Success."(turning the face alone to the left and saying it twice) "Allahu Akbar" - recited TWO times. Meaning, "Allah is Most Great" (face back to front and saying it two times). Morning (Fajr) Prayers The following phrase is added after "Hayya 'alal-falah" in the Azan of the early morning prayers: "As-salatu khairum minannaum" - recited Two times. Meaning, "Prayer is better than sleep" (recited two times). ''La ilaha illallah'' There is no deity except for Allah. ALLAH IS THE GREATEST http://www.theholyquran.org Quran(2.87) We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of messengers; We gave Jesus the son of Mary Clear (Signs) and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit. Is it that whenever there comes to you a messenger with what ye yourselves desire not, ye are puffed up with pride?- Some ye called impostors, and others ye slay! Quran (16.90) Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and given to kith and kin, and He forbids all indecent deeds, and evil and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition. Quran (2.62) Those who believe (in the Quran), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. Quran (2.263) Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. Allah is free of all wants, and He is Most-Forbearing. Quran (29.46) And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, except in the best way, unless it be with those of them who do wrong: but say, "We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you. Our God and your God is One; and it is to Him we submit. Quran (28.77) "But seek, with the (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on thee, the Home of the Hereafter, nor forget thy portion in this world: but do thou good, as Allah has been good to thee, and seek not (occasions for) mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do mischief." Quran (60.8) Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just. Quran (5.8) O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do. (2.136) Say ye: "We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we submit to Allah (in Islam). Quran (3.70) Ye People of the Book! Why reject ye the Signs of Allah, of which ye are (yourselves) witnesses? Quran (3.71) Ye People of the Book! Why do ye clothe truth with falsehood, and conceal the truth, while ye have knowledge.