The Adhan (call to prayer) is that gentle meaningful alert after which Muslims stop and turn to the Lord, get in touch with Him.

Five times a day from hundreds of thousands of mosques and places of worship the sound of the Adhan (call to prayer) is heard throughout the world, announcing prayers five times a day.

The Adhan (call to prayer) is that gentle meaningful alert after which Muslims stop and turn to the Lord, get in touch with Him; thanking Him, remembering Him, bowing down to him in prayer.

Instead of using material objects to announce the prayers like a bell or any artificial or digital sound the Islamic Adhan is a human voice carrying a very delicate and passionate message.

It has a special formula that affirms the faith in God and is a summary of the message of Islam and the content and nature of its teachings.

The Adhan begins with an affirmation of the supremacy and greatness of God. Then comes the Shahadah (Testimony of Faith), which consists of the profession of the unity and oneness of God the negation of shirk (associating other beings/gods with Allah), and the confirmation that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the Messenger of God.

After that comes the call to the prayer and to success (in this life and Hereafter) and then rounding it up by praising God again as the great and affirming faith in Him.

Each line is repeated for affirmation and emphasis.

The words of the Adhan are articulated as follows:

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.

Ash hadu an la ilaha illa Allah

I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah

Ash hadu an la ilaha illa Allah

I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah

Ash hadu anna Mohammadan rasoolu Allah

I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

Ash hadu anna Mohammadan rasoolu Allah

I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

Hay `ala as-Salah, hay `ala as-Salah

Hasten to the Prayer, hasten to the Prayer

Hay `ala al-falah, hay `ala al-falah

Hasten to real success, hasten to real success

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.

La ilaha illa Allah

There is none worthy of worship but Allah.

Click here to listen to the call to prayer (with English translation- subtitles):