Question:
Assalamualaikum SS Dato’ Seri Mufti. During the hajj season recently, I was sending a couple of hajj pilgrims from Movenpick Hotel Tabung Haji in Sepang. I saw that one of the pilgrims call out the adhan before boarding the bus heading towards the airport. My question is, is it permissible for a person who is starting his travels to call out the adhan?
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wrt.wbt.
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
Adhan is originally sanctioned to be called out to inform others of the time for prayer. Only in certain situations that it is sunnah to call out the adhan where it is not for prayer, which is for tabarruk (attaining the blessings), calming, and removing sorrow. (See al-Mausu’ah al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kuwaitiyyah, 2/372)
In the issue of calling out the adhan for other purpose than calling for prayer, the jurists have discussed it. Among the scholars is Syeikh Abu Bakar al-Dimyati who said: Indeed, it is Sunnah to call out the adhan for other purpose than calling for prayer, such as when one is in sorrow and anxiety. The reason is, sorrow and anxiety are alleviated when the adhan is called out. If it is not so with the first call of adhan, then it is sanctioned to be called out again.
The same is applicable when one is angry and for whoever with a bad character and attitude. Whoever has a bad attitude or character, whether it is humans or animals, then adhan should be called out at his ears. (See I’anah al-Talibin, 1/267)
In answering the issue of calling out the adhan when one is starting his travels, here we include several opinions of scholars:
- Imam Ibn Hajar al-Haitami
He said: Calling out the adhan is sunnah for purpose other than calling for prayer such as to a newborn baby, when there is a disturbance of jinn, in anger also for anyone who has a bad character or attitude whether it is from among humans or animals, during wars and fires… It is also sunnah to call out the adhan and iqamah when there is a disturbance of jinn and shaytan as well as for those who are starting on a journey. (See Tuhfah al-Muhtaj, 1/461)
Syarih said: (The explanation for someone who are starting on a journey) For sure the travel is not sinful matters. If so, then it is not sunnah. (See Hawasyi al-Syarwani dan Ibn Qasim al-'Abbadi, 2/81)
- Syeikh al-Bujairimi
He said: And it is sunnah to call out the adhan when one is starting on his travels. (See Tuhfah al-Habib ‘ala Syarh al-Khatib, 2/49)
Conclusion
According to the scholars’ opinion, in our opinion it is permissible to call out the adhan when one is starting his travels. There is a possibility that by hearing to the words of the adhan a traveller would contemplate and think about his travels, helping him to right his intentions.
Hence, let us all contemplate on the meaning of the words of adhan which is a glorification of Allah SWT, taqrir of shayadatain, call to prayer and the words of tauhid. All of which strengthens our belief as Muslims who always remember Allah in our daily lives, including when we are starting our travels.