What is Athan?

Athan is a call to prayer for Muslims and it is announced every day at the beginning of each prayer time of the five daily prayers. The muezzin (person who calls the Athan) makes this call from a high place; traditionally from the top of a house or the roof of the mosque. Nowadays the muezzin calls to prayer by magnification devices, such as microphones, loudspeakers, etc. The first muezzin in Islam was Bilal Ibn Rabah [R].

How to do Athan?

•  Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!

mean:

God is Greatest! God is Greatest!
God is Greatest! God is Greatest!

•  Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah. Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah.

mean:

I bear witness that there is no god except the One God.
I bear witness that there is no god except the One God.

• Ashadu anna Muhammadan Rasool Ullah.
• Ashadu anna Muhammadan Rasool Ullah.

mean:

I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God.

• Hayya 'ala-s-Salah. Hayya 'ala-s-Salah.

mean:

Hurry to the prayer. Hurry to the prayer.

• Hayya 'ala-l-Falah. Hayya 'ala-l-Falah.

mean:

Hurry to salvation. Hurry to salvation.

• Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!

mean:

God is Greatest! God is Greatest!

• La ilaha illa Allah.

mean:

There is no god except the One God.

 
What does Athan mean?
Athan means "to listen" in Arabic. Athan is proclaimed to inform the people about prayer times and that they should start preparing for prayer. The second call to prayer is called 'Iqama' which is done right before prayer begins; this serves to alert the people to line up for prayer as an indication that prayers will begin soon.