Question:

What is the ruling on the Adhan (call to prayer) in the lands of the disbelievers? Likewise, should the Adhan be given in every place where prayer is performed? Furthermore, does the statement of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), “Allah the Exalted marvels at a sheep-herder on a mountain peak who gives the Adhan, performs the Iqamah, and prays,” support what some of the brothers there claim—namely, that the Adhan is primarily a devotional act (amr ta’abbudi)?

​Answer:

It is legislated for a Muslim to make the Adhan and Iqamah when the time for prayer arrives, whether he is in Muslim lands, in the lands of the disbelievers, or traveling.

This is based on the general import of the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) statement to Malik ibn al-Huwayrith and his companions: “When the time for prayer arrives, let one of you give the Adhan for you, and let the eldest of you lead you in prayer,” along with other authentic hadiths concerning the virtue of the Adhan and the command to perform it.

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