The correct answer is Hazrat Umar (RA). Hazrat Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA), the second Caliph of Islam, is historically credited with incorporating the phrase "As-Salatu Khairum Minan-Nawm" (Prayer is better than sleep) into the call to prayer (Azan) for the... Read More
The correct answer is Hazrat Umar (RA). Hazrat Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA), the second Caliph of Islam, is historically credited with incorporating the phrase "As-Salatu Khairum Minan-Nawm" (Prayer is better than sleep) into the call to prayer (Azan) for the Fajr prayer. This institutionalization marked a significant moment in the early administration and standardization of Islamic religious practices during the expansion of the Caliphate in the 7th century.
During the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Bilal ibn Rabah (RA) served as the primary caller to prayer (Muazzin). In the earliest days of Islam, the Azan for the dawn prayer followed the standard formula without the specific phrase emphasizing the superiority of prayer over sleep.
According to traditional Islamic historical records, including compilations of Hadith and early Islamic jurisprudence, the context unfolded during the caliphate of Hazrat Umar (RA). It is narrated that a Muazzin came to wake Hazrat Umar (RA) for the Fajr prayer and found him resting. Recognizing the profound dedication required for early morning devotion, the caller used the expression to rouse the believers, and Hazrat Umar (RA) formally endorsed its permanent inclusion in the morning call to remind the Muslim community of the spiritual urgency of waking up before sunrise.
The inclusion of this phrase fits into a broader pattern of governance under Hazrat Umar (RA) aimed at structuring the rapidly growing Islamic state. As the Caliph, he was deeply involved in organizing public life in Medina and the newly conquered territories across the Near East. His tenure was defined by establishing regular administrative systems, standardizing military payrolls, founding garrison cities like Kufa and Basra, and solidifying the daily rituals of the expanding Ummah.
By formalizing the Azan for Fajr to include the reminder that prayer surpasses the comfort of sleep, the leadership maintained spiritual discipline among a population transitioning from tribal structures to a unified empire. The phrase served as a psychological and spiritual anchor, ensuring that believers remained focused on communal worship despite the comforts of rest.
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