Episode Summary
This episode details the transition of Yathrib into Al-Madinat al-Munawara and the communal establishment of the five daily prayers. It explores the Prophet’s (saw) strategic consultation with the Sahaba to find a unique way to call the believers to worship, rejecting the symbols of other faiths to preserve a distinct Muslim identity. The narrative recounts the divine dreams of Abdullah ibn Zayd and Umar ibn al-Khattab, which led to the institution of the Adhan. Finally, it highlights the social significance of choosing Bilal as the first Muaddhin and the spiritual virtues associated with the call to prayer.
Key Highlights
- Upon the Prophet’s arrival, the city of Yathrib was renamed Al-Madinat al-Munawara (The Illuminated City).
- The Prophet rejected using horns, bells, or fire for the call to prayer to ensure the Muslim community maintained a unique religious identity.
- An 'ordinary' Sahabi, Abdullah ibn Zayd, received the words of the Adhan and the Iqama in a divine dream.
- Umar ibn al-Khattab confirmed the Adhan through a near-identical dream he had experienced while resting at home.
- Choosing Bilal as the Muaddhin shattered social and ethnic barriers, as he was a freed African slave in a classist society.
- The phrase 'Prayer is better than sleep' (As-salaatu khayrun mina nawm) was added to the Fajr Adhan by Bilal and approved by the Prophet.
- The Prophet recognized landmarks in Madinah from a month-long visit he made with his mother at the age of six, 47 years prior.
Comprehensive Analysis
1. The Transformation of Madinah and the Focus on Salah
Following the Prophet’s (saw) arrival, Yathrib was renamed Al-Madinat al-Munawara (The Illuminated City). Having established Masjid al-Nabawi and bridged relationships between the Muhajiroon and Ansar, the Prophet’s primary focus shifted to solidifying the community through the five daily prayers. Salah was viewed as the “Shahadatain manifest,” serving as the primary unifier that bridged gaps between the wealthy and poor, the elderly and young, and the learned and unlettered.
2. The Consultation for a Unique Call
To gather the community for prayer, the Prophet (saw) initially tasked Bilal with walking through the city and announcing, “Salah is gathering”. Seeking a more effective method, the Prophet consulted the Sahaba, who suggested flags, horns, bells, or fires. The Prophet rejected these suggestions, stating they were the practices of the Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians; he emphasized the need for a unique religious identity and spiritual practices to distinguish the Muslim community.
3. The Divine Dream of Abdullah ibn Zayd
Abdullah ibn Zayd, a Sahabi who was not among the top leadership ranks, experienced a dream after the consultation. He saw a man in two green garments holding a bell; when Abdullah offered to buy it to call people to prayer, the man offered him “something better”. The man then stood on a wall and recited the full words of the Adhan, demonstrating how to elongate the words, followed by the words for the Iqama. Abdullah immediately shared this dream with the Prophet, who recognized it as a divine truth.
4. Bilal: Shattering Barriers as the First Muaddhin
The Prophet (saw) instructed Bilal to learn the words from Abdullah and call the Adhan, noting that Bilal’s voice was farther-reaching. This choice was not only about volume but was a profound social statement; by appointing an African man and former slave to this prestigious role, the Prophet shattered the classist and ethnic barriers of Arabian society. Bilal later held such honor that during the Caliphate of Umar, he was seated in VIP sections ahead of the tribal leaders of the Quraysh.
5. Umar’s Confirmation and the Fajr Addition
Upon hearing the first Adhan, Umar ibn al-Khattab rushed to the masjid, stating he had seen the exact same dream. This communal involvement reinforced that no leader is independent of his community and that sincere contributors can come from any rank. Later, while preparing for Fajr, Bilal noticed the community was still asleep and added the line, “As-salaatu khayrun mina nawm” (Prayer is better than sleep). The Prophet heard this and formally approved it as part of the Fajr Sunnah.
6. Virtues and the Etiquette of the Adhan
The Prophet (saw) described calling the Adhan as an act of great nobility, stating that Muaddhins would have the “longest necks” (standing out) on the Day of Judgment. He taught that Shaytan flees in terror upon hearing the call, losing control of his bodily functions. Furthermore, every creature—human, jinn, animal, or plant—that hears the Muaddhin’s voice will testify on their behalf on the Day of Judgment. Believers are encouraged to repeat the words of the Muaddhin and make dua between the Adhan and Iqama, a time when prayers are specifically accepted.
7. Humanizing the Hijra: Childhood Memories
The sources reveal a touching human side of the Prophet’s return to Madinah. Having visited the city at age six with his mother, Aminah, the Prophet (saw) recognized specific locations 47 years later. He pointed out the house where he stayed as a child, the pond where he learned to swim with local children, and the open areas where he used to play. These memories likely provided a deep sense of personal connection and nostalgia as he established his new home in the city.