Athan, a Brief Guide

It's inevitable, one day we're each going to find ourselves in a situation where we have to give the athan (the "get ready to pray" call to prayer) and maybe even the iqamah (the "time to pray" call to prayer). And while we've probably heard it a thousand times, are you ready to give it? Do you know the intricacies and differences between the words? You know how we love our poetry and things sound the same. Anyway, here is a primer on what to say during the Athan and Iqamah, and what to say as a hearer of them!

Black: What the Muezzin Says

Blue: What you say (Same, obviously means that you say the same thing that the Muezzin did)

Green: A translation of more uncommon words.

The athan:

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar: Same

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar: Same

Ashadu-an la-illaha illAllah: Same

Ashadu-an la-illaha illAllah: Same

Ashadu-an a-Mohammaden rasul-Allah: Same

Ashadu-an a-Mohammaden rasul-Allah: Same

Hayala salat: "la howla wala qawta illa billa", "there is no might and no power except in Allah"

Hayala salat: "la howla wala qawta illa billa","there is no might and no power except in Allah"

Hayala falah: "la howla wala qawta illa billa", "there is no might and no power except in Allah"

Hayala falah: "la howla wala qawta illa billa", "there is no might and no power except in Allah"

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar: Same

La illaha illAllah: Same

Now, fajr's is a little different:

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar: Same

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar: Same

Ashadu-an la-illaha illAllah: Same

Ashadu-an la-illaha illAllah: Same

Ashadu-an a-Mohammaden rasul-Allah: Same

Ashadu-an a-Mohammaden rasul-Allah: Same

Hayala salat: "la howla wala qawta illa billa", "there is no might and no power except in Allah"

Hayala salat: "la howla wala qawta illa billa","there is no might and no power except in Allah"

Hayala falah: "la howla wala qawta illa billa", "there is no might and no power except in Allah"

Hayala falah: "la howla wala qawta illa billa", "there is no might and no power except in Allah"

As-salatu khayru min an-nawm, "Prayer is better than sleep": Same

As-salatu khayru min an-nawm, "Prayer is better than sleep": SameAllahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar: Same

La illaha illAllah: Same

Now that the athan's been called, you can recite the following duas:

"O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and of the prayer which is established for all time, grant Muhammad the wasila and excellency and raise him up in a praise-worthy position which you have promised." (from Bukhari, and recitation of that will assure you of the Prophet (SAW)'s intercession)

Also pray for prosperity in religion and worldly affairs:

"O Allah, I ask of You for Your pleasure and pardon and for my comfort in this world and in the hereafter and in my family and in my belongings."

And for some good old fashioned forgiveness:

"I testify that there is no God but Allah, alone, who has no partner, and that Muhammad (SAW) is His servant and messenger; I am satisfied with Allah as Lord, with Muhammad (SAW) as messenger, and with Islam as religion" (Muslim, Ma'ariful Hadith)

The iqamah is very similar to the athan, but has a few key differences. It is usually recited just a little bit faster, and has some different words.

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar: Same

Ashadu-an la-illaha illAllah: Same

Ashadu-an a-Mohammaden rasul-Allah: Same

Hayala salat: "la howla wala qawta illa billa","there is no might and no power except in Allah"

Hayala falah: "la howla wala qawta illa billa", "there is no might and no power except in Allah"

Qad qama tis-salat "Prayer has begun": "Aqamaha Allah wa adamaha"***

Qad qama tis-salat "Prayer has begun": "Aqamaha Allah wa adamaha"***

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar: Same

La illaha illAllah: Same

This phrase "Aqamaha Allah wa adamaha" is starred because it may or may not be used. I transliterated it from the book " The Ways of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW)" by Dr. Muhammad Abdul Hai Aarfi. But, according to 

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1119503548986&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FPrintFatwaE

it is from a weak chain, so I don't know anymore. Also, I don't know what it means, sorry.

Also, sadly, some of the information was from Wikipedia (it's a sad day when I have to use wikipedia for religious information, but it was basic stuff, so it should be pretty reliable) Other information can be found in "The Ways of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW)" by Dr. Muhammad Abdul Hai Aarfi, and if you do a search for Athan, and Iqama most of the results you'll get are youtube videos with recordings. 

**If I made a mistake somewhere, PLEASE point it out.