What dua do I say when I hear the adhan?
When you hear the adhan, repeat each phrase after the caller, then send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ and say the dua "Allahumma rabba hadhihid-da'watit-tammah...". It takes about a minute, and the Prophet ﷺ promised his intercession to whoever says it. It works for an adhan from a phone app too.
Step 1: Repeat after the caller
The Prophet ﷺ said that when you hear the caller, say what he says (Sahih Muslim 384). So when the mu'adhin says "Allahu Akbar", you say "Allahu Akbar", and so on. There is one exception: at "Hayya 'alas-salah" and "Hayya 'alal-falah" (come to prayer, come to success), you say "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah" (There is no power or strength except with Allah) (Sahih Muslim 385). See What does "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah" mean?
After the shahadah lines, you can add: "Raditu billahi rabban, wa bi Muhammadin rasulan, wa bil-islami dina" (I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, Muhammad as messenger and Islam as my religion). The Prophet ﷺ said whoever says this is forgiven his sins (Sahih Muslim 386).
Step 2: Blessings and the dua after the adhan
When the adhan ends, send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ (a short "Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad" is fine), then say:
"Allahumma rabba hadhihid-da'watit-tammah, was-salatil-qa'imah, ati Muhammadanil-wasilata wal-fadilah, wab'athhu maqamam-mahmudanil-ladhi wa'adtah."
Meaning: "O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and the prayer about to be established, give Muhammad al-wasilah and excellence, and raise him to the praised station You promised him." The Prophet ﷺ said his intercession becomes due for whoever says this on hearing the call (Sahih al-Bukhari 614).
Step 3: Make your own dua
The time between the adhan and the iqamah is a special moment. The Prophet ﷺ said a dua made between them is not rejected (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 212). Ask for anything you need, in any language. See What are the best times to make dua?
Common questions
- Fajr adhan: when the caller says "As-salatu khayrun minan-nawm" (prayer is better than sleep), repeat the same words.
- App or livestream adhan: many scholars say responding to a live broadcast is sunnah, while they differ on recordings. Responding to a recorded adhan at prayer time does no harm either way. See Can I trust prayer time apps?
- Busy or on your period: you can still respond. It's dhikr, so no wudu is needed.
- Don't know it by heart? Reading it from your phone is fine while you learn.
- Repeat each phrase; at "Hayya 'ala..." say "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah".
- Then send blessings and say "Allahumma rabba hadhihid-da'wah..." (Sahih al-Bukhari 614).
- Dua between adhan and iqamah is not rejected.
- No wudu needed, and it's a sunnah, not an obligation.
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