No harm in calling the Athaan and Iqaamah inside the mosque using loudspeakers

24-12-2012 | IslamWeb

Question:

Is it permissible to call the Athaan and Iqaamah inside the mosque using loudspeakers? What is the evidence for this?

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 authentically narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to ‘Abdullaah ibn Zayd  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him: “Get up with Bilaal and teach him what you saw, for he has a more pleasant voice than you.” [Abu Daawood]

It was also narrated that Bilaal  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him used to call the Athaan from the roof of the house of a lady from the tribe of Banu An-Najjaar because her house was the loftiest of all the houses around the mosque (of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in Al-Medeenah). [Au Daawood] [Al-Haafith Ibn Hajar: Hasan (good)]

Both previous Hadeeths, and what was reported of the same indication, imply proof on the recommendation of raising the voice with Athaan because this is more effective in declaring the time of prayer. Loudspeakers are just a means of conveying and delivering which increases the strength and beauty of the voice of the one who calls the Athaan. The strength and beauty of the voice of the one who calls the Athaan are two recommended descriptions in the Athaan and thus anything that can increase them is also religiously recommended. Accordingly, there is no harm in making Athaan by loudspeakers. Also, there is no harm in calling the Athaan inside the mosque when the loudspeakers are inside the mosque. This is because calling the Athaan outside the mosque in the early ages (i.e. calling it from rooftops and minarets) was to give the voice strength and spread it in all directions. So if this can be attained by means from within the mosque, then there is no harm in this, Allaah Willing.

The same ruling applies to the Iqaamah because it is reported in the authentic Hadeeths what prove that it was heard from outside the mosque.  Allaah Knows best.

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