The correct answer is 6. The Adhan (Azan), which serves as the formal Islamic call to prayer, begins and ends with the proclamation of the Takbeer—the phrase "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest). When calculating the total number of Takbeers... Read More
The correct answer is 6. The Adhan (Azan), which serves as the formal Islamic call to prayer, begins and ends with the proclamation of the Takbeer—the phrase "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest). When calculating the total number of Takbeers recited by the Muezzin during a single standard Adhan, the sum is six. This is divided into two distinct sections: four Takbeers are recited consecutively at the very beginning of the call to signify the start of the invitation, and two more are recited toward the conclusion, just before the final declaration of faith.
To understand why the number is six, one must look at the sequence of the words. The Adhan begins with a "four-fold" Takbeer. In most schools of jurisprudence (including the Hanafi, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools), the Muezzin says "Allahu Akbar" four times at the start. Historically, this was done to ensure that the message reached as far as possible, effectively capturing the attention of the community.
After the initial four Takbeers, the Muezzin proceeds with the Shahadatain (testimony of faith) and the Hayya 'ala (call to success). As the Adhan reaches its climax and draws to a close, the Muezzin repeats the Takbeer two more times. These final two proclamations serve as a bookend to the call, bringing the total count to six.
The specific wording and the number of repetitions in the Adhan were not revealed in the Quran but were established through a Sahabi’s dream and the Prophet’s ﷺ confirmation. In the early days of Madinah, the Muslims discussed how to gather people for prayer. Some suggested a bell or a horn, but the Prophet ﷺ disliked these as they resembled other religions.
Abdullah bin Zaid (R.A.) then had a dream where a man taught him the words of the Adhan exactly as we hear them today, including the six Takbeers. When he related this to the Prophet ﷺ, the Messenger of Allah confirmed it was a true vision and instructed Bilal ibn Rabah (R.A.)—who had a deep, beautiful voice—to call the people using these exact words. Since that day in the 1st year of the Hijri calendar, the six-fold Takbeer has echoed from minarets across the globe.
In Islamic spirituality, the Takbeer is repeated frequently to remind the listener that the Creator is greater than any worldly occupation, business, or worry. By starting with four repetitions, the Muezzin "clears the air," demanding the listener's full focus. The final two repetitions at the end of the Adhan act as a final reminder before the closing "La ilaha illallah." This structure ensures that the "Greatness of Allah" is the first and nearly the last thing a believer hears before heading to the mosque.
While the majority of the Muslim world follows the six-Takbeer format, it is worth noting for historical context that in the Maliki school of thought, the opening Takbeer is sometimes recited only twice (making the total four). However, in the context of general competitive exams and the standard practice followed in Pakistan and most Islamic nations, the recognized count is six. This consistency in the Adhan serves as a powerful symbol of the "Ummah's" unity, where the same six proclamations have been recited billions of times over the last 1,400 years.
Discussion
Leave a Comment