Shariah ruling about Adhaan

Definition of Adhaan
Adhaan means to make aware and to alert.  In the terminology of the Shariah, alerting people for Obligatory (Fardh) Salaat using a set of particular words is called Adhaan.

How Adhaan started
In the early days of Islam, people would themselves gather at the time of Salaat.  There was no particular way of calling people for Salaat.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) invited suggestions from the Companions.  Somebody suggested using a drum, somebody else suggested using a bugle.  The drum was the custom of the Christians and the bugle was the custom of the Jews.  Because of similarity with them, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) didn’t like these methods.  Hadhrat ‘Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) said:  At the time of Salaat, a person should go to the residences of the Muslims and make an announcement.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) liked this and ordered Hadhrat Bilal (May Allah be well pleased with him) to call out: As Salaat Ul Jami’a at the time of Salaat.  Thus, the announcement for Salaat was made like this. (Jame’ Tirmidhi, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 48)

A Companion Hadhrat ‘Abdullah bin Zaid (May Allah be well pleased with him) dreamt that someone is uttering the words of Adhaan.  He came to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and described this dream.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  This is a true dream.  In the meantime, Hadhrat ‘Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) also came, dragging his garment behind him and said:  O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)!  I also saw a similar dream. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) told Hadhrat ‘Abdullah bin Zaid (May Allah be well pleased with him) to relate these words to Hadhrat Bilal (May Allah be well pleased with him) so that he can call for Salaat with these words as he has a huge voice.

The words of the Adhaan
Allahu Akbar!  Allahu Akbar!  Allahu Akbar!  Allahu Akbar!  Ashhadu Allailaha Illallah!  Ashhadu Allailaha Illallah!  Ashhadu Anna Muhammadur Rasoolullah! Ashhadu Anna Muhammadur Rasoolullah! Hayya ‘Alas Salaat! Hayya ‘Alas Salaat!  Hayya ‘Alal Falaah!  Hayya ‘Alal Falaah!  Allahu Akbar!  Allahu Akbar!  La Ilaha Illallah.

In the Adhaan for Fajr, after Hayya ‘Alal Falaah, the words “Assalaatu Khairum Minan Noum” are repeated twice.

When should Adhaan be given in the mosque
The command of the Shariah about the Adhaan is that it should be given after the time of that particular Salaat starts.  If it is given before the time for the Salaat starts, then it is not acceptable and it has to given again. 

If Adhaan is given before the time of the Salaat starts, then it has to be given again before offering the Salaat.  If this is not done, then it is a violation of Adhaan, which is a Sunnah Moukkada and one of the symbols of Islam.  However, the Salaat offered will be considered valid, but it is necessary to avoid this kind of heedlessness.

Friday Adhaan at the same time for the whole year
The ruling of the Shariah is that Adhaan should be given after the time for the particular Salaat starts. If it is given before the time starts, it is not accepted.

The starting time for Juma’a is the same as Zuhr.  On days, when the time starts at 12:30, it is not correct to give the Adhaan at 12:30.  The Muezzin and those responsible should be made aware of this.  The Adhaan should be given well after the time has started.

As given in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Vol. 1, Pg No. 53.

Muezzin giving Adhaan seated
The muezzin should stand and give the Adhaan.  Giving Adhaan while seated is Makruh (undesirable), as given in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Kitab Us Salaat, Al Faslul Awwalu Fi Sifatil Adhaan.

Muezzin clearing throat while giving Adhaan
It is Makruh (undesirable) to clear one's throat while giving the Adhaan without any valid reason.  If somebody clears the throat for some valid reason, then there is no problem.  As given in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Al Babul Thani Fil Adhaan.

Adhaan of a minor
If the minor is sensible enough, then the Fuqaha (Jurists) have ruled their Adhaan as valid without any undesirability.  Still, the Adhaan of a major is better (Afdhal).  If the minor is not sensible enough, then that Adhaan is not valid as per the Shariah.  This Adhaan should be redone.

As given in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Vol. 1, Kitab Us Salaat.