The actions when calling for the prayer
There are five Sunnah actions (i.e. Prophetic actions) recommended by the Prophet – Peace be upon him - Upon hearing the call for the prayer, as mentioned in Zad Al Ma'ad Book, by Ibn Al Qayyem:
1- The hearer should repeat after the Mo'athen (The one who calls for prayer) all words except when the Mo'athen says: (Hayyah Ala As-Sala – i.e. hasten to the prayer) and (Hayyah Ala Al-Falah – i.e. hasten to the salvation), the hearer should say (La Hawla Wala Quwata Ella Belllah – i.e. there is no might and no power except by Allah). Narrated by Al-Bukhari & Muslim.
The benefit of this Sunnah: You will be rewarded with Paradise as stipulated in Sahih Muslim.
2- The hearer should say: (Ashhadu An La Ilaha Ella Allah Wa Anna Muhammadan Rasoulo Allah, Radito Bellahi Raban, wa Bel Islami Denan, wa be- Muhammaden Rasolua – i.e. I also bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad is His Prophet, I am pleased with Allah as my Lord , with Islam as my religion and with Muhammad as my Prophet). Narrated by Muslim.
The benefit of this Sunnah: Allah will forgive your sins, as stipulated in the same prophetic tradition.
3- After the Mo'athen finishes the Athan (The call for prayer), you should ask Allah's blessings upon the Prophet (Peace be upon him), and the best supplication which can be said in this regard is the "As-Salawat Al Ibrahimiah" – as mentioned below. The Prophet – Peace be upon him – said: (When you hear the Mo'athen calling for the prayer, repeat his words then ask Allah's blessings upon me, because the one who asks Allah's blessings upon me once will be rewarded ten blessings by Allah) narrated by Muslim.
The benefit of this Sunnah: Allah will send ten blessings to the believer i.e. Allah will praise such person at heaven.
The text of As-Salawat Al-Ibrahimiah is: (Allaahumma salli alaa Muhammadin wa alaa aali Muhammadin, kamaa sallayta alaa Ibraaheema wa alaa aali Ibraaheema innaka Hameedun Majeed. Allahumma Baarik alaa Muhammadin wa alaa aali Mohammadin kamaa baarakta alaa Ibraaheema wa alaa aali Ibraaheema innaka Hameedun Majeed - i.e. O Allah, bestow your favor on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad as You have bestowed Your favor on Ibrahim and on the family of Ibrahim, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Mohammad as You have blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious) narrated by Al Bukhari.
4- After asking Allah's blessings upon the Prophet – Peace be upon him – you should say: (Allahumma Rabba haathihid-dawatit-tammati wassalatil-qaaimati, aati Muhammadanil waseelata walfadheelata, wab'ath-hu maqaaman-mahmoodanil-lathee wa'adtahu i.e. O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and established prayer, grant Muhammad the intercession and favor, and raise him to the honored station You have promised him) narrated by Al Bukhari.
The benefit of this supplication: The one who says this supplication will deserve the intercession of the Prophet – Peace be upon him.
5- Finally, you can ask Allah The Almighty anything for yourself and ask the grace of Allah because your supplication will be answered this time; the Prophet – Peace be upon him – said: (Repeat the words of the Mo'athen and when you finish, ask Allah what you want and you will get it) narrated by Abu Dawood, advocated by Al-Hafeth Ibn Hijr, and authenticated by Ibn Hibban.
