Ruling on Praying Before the Adhan
It is not permissible for a Muslim to perform any of the five daily obligatory prayers before the adhan (call to prayer) is given. Such a prayer is not valid. This is because the adhan marks the entrance of the prayer time, which is a requirement for the obligation and validity of the prayer.
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَوْقُوتًا﴾
“Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.”
— Surah An-Nisa (4:103)
Every prayer has a fixed time, and it is impermissible to perform it outside that time—whether in times of peace or fear.
When Does Prayer Time Begin?
Each obligatory prayer has a clearly defined start time:
- Dhuhr (Noon): When the sun starts to decline from its highest point.
- Asr (Afternoon): When the shadow of an object becomes equal to its length.
- Maghrib (Sunset): Immediately after the sun sets.
- Isha (Night): After the red twilight disappears.
- Fajr (Dawn): From the true dawn (second dawn).
If someone starts the prayer even a few seconds before the designated time (i.e., before adhan), it is invalid.
Is Entering the Prayer Time a Condition or a Cause?
Scholars have differentiated between a “cause” and a “pillar” (rukn) in Islamic law:
- Cause (Sabab): Triggers the obligation of prayer (like the arrival of prayer time).
- Pillar (Rukn): An essential component performed within the prayer (like bowing or sujood).
Entering the prayer time is a cause, not a pillar. However, it must be established before beginning the prayer. If someone knowingly prays before the time, the prayer is invalid and must be repeated.
If someone mistakenly or unknowingly prays before the time, it may count as nafl (optional) and not as fard (obligatory), but it still must be repeated correctly.
🕐 What If You Start the Prayer During the Adhan?
It is permissible to begin your prayer during the adhan.
If a person hears “Allahu Akbar” and immediately starts their prayer (having confirmed the time has begun), the prayer is valid. There is no requirement to wait until the adhan finishes.
However, it is recommended to listen and repeat after the adhan for greater reward. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever hears the adhan and repeats what the mu’adhin says… his sins will be forgiven.”
— [Sahih Muslim, Hadith 385]
Evidence from the Sahabah
عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه:
“كانَ المُؤَذِّنُ إذا أذَّنَ قامَ ناسٌ مِن أصْحابِ النبيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ يَبْتَدِرُونَ السَّوارِيَ، حتَّى يَخْرُجَ النبيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ وهُمْ كَذلكَ، يُصَلُّونَ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ المَغْرِبِ، ولَمْ يَكُنْ بيْنَ الأذانِ والإِقامَةِ شيءٌ”
“When the mu’adhin would call the adhan, some companions of the Prophet ﷺ would rush to the pillars and pray two rak’ahs before Maghrib, even though there was hardly any time between adhan and iqamah.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 625
This shows it was common practice to begin praying while the adhan was ongoing.
🧭 Conditions for a Valid Prayer
Here’s a quick checklist of the conditions (shurūt) for prayer to be valid:
- ✅ Islam
- ✅ Sanity
- ✅ Maturity (or at least age of discernment)
- ✅ Ritual purity (wudhu or ghusl)
- ✅ Clothing and place free from impurities
- ✅ Covering ‘awrah (modesty):
- Men: Between navel and knees
- Women: Entire body except face and hands
- ✅ Facing the Qiblah
- ✅ Intention (niyyah)
- ✅ Certainty that prayer time has begun
- ✅ Avoiding unnecessary speech or actions
- ✅ No eating or drinking during prayer
- ✅ Proper sequence and continuity in prayer actions
If any of these conditions are not met, the prayer may be invalid.
🌙 Wisdom Behind the Adhan
Why did Allah legislate the adhan? It’s more than just a reminder—it’s a symbol of Islam and a spiritual call with deep meaning:
- 📢 Declares Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) publicly
- 📣 Announces Islamic identity in Muslim lands
- ⏰ Notifies believers of prayer times
- 🕌 Invites people to gather for congregational prayer
- 🗣️ Raises the name of Allah and the status of the Prophet ﷺ
- 🧭 Awakens hearts, reminding them of the purpose of life and ultimate success
“Come to prayer, come to success” isn’t just a slogan. It’s a lifeline for the soul.
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