The correct answer to this question is Hazrat Usman (R.A). The addition of the second Azan (call to prayer) for the Friday (Jumu'ah) congregation is a well-documented event in Islamic history, marking a point where the administrative needs of a... Read More
The correct answer to this question is Hazrat Usman (R.A). The addition of the second Azan (call to prayer) for the Friday (Jumu'ah) congregation is a well-documented event in Islamic history, marking a point where the administrative needs of a growing population met religious practice. During the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and through the caliphates of Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) and Hazrat Umar (R.A), there was only one Azan for the Friday prayer. This single call was made at the moment the Imam sat upon the pulpit (minbar) to begin the sermon (Khutbah).
By the time Hazrat Usman (R.A) became the third Caliph, the Islamic state had expanded significantly, and the city of Madinah had grown into a bustling metropolitan hub. The population had increased to the point where the houses and markets were spread far beyond the immediate vicinity of Al-Masjid an-Nabawi.
As the city grew larger, a practical problem emerged. People involved in trade in the distant markets or those living on the outskirts of the city often struggled to reach the mosque in time for the start of the Khutbah. Since the original Azan was called only when the Imam was ready to speak, by the time people in the distant corners of the city heard it and made their way to the mosque, the sermon would often be well underway or nearly finished.
Recognizing this logistical challenge, Hazrat Usman (R.A) decided to introduce a preliminary call to prayer. This was not meant to change the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) but to serve as a notification and a reminder so that people could stop their business dealings, perform their ablutions (Wudu), and travel to the mosque without rushing.
This second Azan (which is technically the first one chronologically) was called from a place called Az-Zawra, which was a house or an elevated location in the market area of Madinah. This ensured that the sound reached the traders and residents who were further away. Once this call was heard, it served as a signal that the Friday prayer time was approaching, giving the community ample time to prepare. The original Azan, performed inside the mosque when the Imam took his place, continued to be observed just as it had been since the time of the Prophet (PBUH).
This administrative decision was made in the presence of many of the Prophet’s (PBUH) companions (Sahaba). Because there was no objection from the companions, it was considered a "Consensus" (Ijma) and became a permanent part of the Friday proceedings in most parts of the Muslim world.
It is a fascinating example of how early Islamic leaders used "Ijtihad" (independent reasoning) to solve the everyday problems of a growing society while maintaining the sanctity of the core religious rituals. To this day, in the majority of mosques worldwide, two Azans are called for the Friday prayer: the first to alert the people to leave their worldly affairs, and the second to signal the start of the formal religious service.
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