Question:

A phenomenon is spreading in our city of Jizan where reminders are given before the Fajr prayer by the muezzins, saying: “As-salah, may Allah guide you, as-salah! As-salah, O sleepers, as-salah! As-salah, O heedless ones, as-salah! As-salah, do not let Satan toy with you, as-salah! Catch up with the spoils, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, there is no god but Allah! Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise! Allah is the Greatest, with abundant greatness, and praise be to Allah abundantly, and glory be to Allah morning and evening!” along with reciting certain Quranic verses and short chapters. Is this action a Sunnah authentic from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) or from his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them)? What is the ruling on this phenomenon, O Eminence the Shaykh? Benefit us, may Allah benefit you and preserve you as a treasure for Islam and the Muslims.

​Answer:

These mentioned statements have no basis regarding their legitimacy, neither before nor after the Adhan. One must suffice in announcing the entry of the prayer time with what Allah has legislated in terms of the Adhan, following the guidance of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and nothing more than that should be introduced into the announcement of the time’s entry. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “Whoever introduces into this matter of ours something that is not from it, it will be rejected.”

And Allah is the Grantor of success. May Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.