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Fatwa CenterIt is recommended for the Mu’aththin to declare the Iqaamah
Question
As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh.
I would like to ask you if it is permissible that one person declares the Athaan and someone else the Iqaamah?
Was-Salaamu ‘Alaykum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
It was narrated that Ziyaad ibn Al-Haarith As-Sudaa’i 
said: “The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, commanded me to call the Athaan of Fajr and I did. Then Bilaal wanted to call the Iqaamah but the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to him: “The man of Sudaa’i has called the Athaan and he who calls the Athaan declares the Iqaamah.” [At-Tirmithi, Abu Daawood, Ibn Maajah and Ahmad]
However, this is a weak Hadeeth and, therefore, scholars hold different opinions regarding its content. Some of them view that the Mu’aththin has more right to declare the Iqaamah, substantiating their opinion with the previous Hadeeth. Others view that the Hadeeth is weak and there is no difference between the Mu’aththin and someone else. Al-Mubaarakfoori 
said in Tuhfat Al-Azaa’i: “They held different opinions regarding who has more right. Most of them believe that there is no difference and the matter is broad in scope. This opinion was adopted by Maalik, most of the scholars of Hijaaz, Abu Haneefah and most of the scholars of Koofah and Abu Thawr . Some others view that the one who calls the Athaan should declare the Iqaamah.”
The Hadeeth mentioned previously is substantiated by the Hadeeth reported by Ibn ‘Umar 
in which the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “O Bilaal, wait. The one who calls the Athaan declares the Iqaamah.” [At-Tabaraani, Al-‘Uqayli and Abu Ash-Shaykh]
Ibn Qudaamah supported the view which states that the Mu’aththin has more right to declare the Iqaamah while it is permissible for anyone else to do it. He said in Al-Mughni: “And what they mentioned indicates permissibility and this is recommended.” (1/249)
In conclusion, there is no harm if someone other than the Mu’aththin declares the Iqaamah although he has more right to call it.
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