تشريع الأذان
The Legislation of Adhan
1 AH (622 CE)
Madinah المدينة المنورة
The Muslims needed a way to call people to prayer. Abdullah ibn Zayd saw a vision in his dream of a man calling to prayer with specific words. When he informed the Prophet ﷺ, the Prophet ﷺ said it was a true vision and instructed Bilal ibn Rabah to call the Adhan, as his voice was more beautiful. Umar ibn al-Khattab confirmed he had seen the same vision.
Why this matters
The Adhan became one of the most distinctive symbols of Islam — five times a day, the call to prayer rises over Muslim lands. Bilal, the formerly enslaved Abyssinian who had been tortured for his faith, became the first muezzin, elevated by Islam from the lowest rung of Makkan society to one of the most honored positions in the new community.
Hadith references
Sunan Abu Dawud, #498
Narrated by: Abdullah ibn Zayd
“Abdullah ibn Zayd said: 'When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered a bell to be made to summon people to prayer, a man came to me while I was sleeping and showed me a bell. I said: O servant of Allah, will you sell this bell? He said: What will you do with it? I said: We will call people to prayer. He said: Shall I not show you something better? He then taught me the words of the Adhan.'”