How to Pronounce adhan

Meaning and Context

The adhan (أَذَان) is the sacred and melodious Islamic call to prayer, a cornerstone of daily Muslim life that punctuates the day with spiritual reminders. Traditionally recited by a muezzin from the minaret of a mosque, its rhythmic Arabic phrases proclaim the oneness of God (Tawhid), the prophethood of Muhammad, and the imperative to hasten to prayer and success. More than a simple announcement, the adhan serves as a powerful symbol of Islamic faith, community unity, and devotional discipline, resonating across neighborhoods and binding the global Ummah through a shared auditory tradition. Its recitation precedes each of the five daily obligatory prayers (Salah), structuring time around worship and reflection. The profound beauty of the call to prayer lies not only in its vocal artistry but also in its function as a public declaration of faith, heard from bustling city centers to remote villages, making it one of the most recognizable and evocative aspects of Islamic culture and religious practice.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct transliteration from Arabic is "adhan," often featuring an apostrophe as "adhān" to indicate the long vowel. Common alternate spellings include "azan," which is prevalent in South Asian languages like Urdu and Persian, and "athan" or "adzan." Frequent misspellings and typos arise from phonetic guesses, such as "athan," "azaan," "adhan," or "adthan." It is also sometimes mistakenly referred to as the "call to prayer" without using the specific term "adhan," though that phrase describes its function. In writing, it is important to note that the term is typically not capitalized unless it begins a sentence, and it is often italicized in non-Arabic texts to indicate its status as a foreign loanword.

Example Sentences

The hauntingly beautiful sound of the adhan echoed through the narrow alleyways just before dawn, signaling the start of the Fajr prayer.

New visitors to Istanbul are often deeply moved when they hear the simultaneous adhan from multiple historic mosques across the city skyline.

Before leading the congregation, the muezzin ensured his voice was clear and measured for the recitation of the adhan.

Parents often teach their children the words of the adhan at a very young age, embedding the declaration of faith into their hearts.

The timing for the adhan is determined precisely by the sun's position, following a meticulously calculated prayer schedule.

Even in non-Muslim majority countries, many Islamic centers are granted permits to broadcast the adhan publicly, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

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