The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 15
I - Early Establishment of Madīnah and Foundation of the Islāmic Government 15 room of Ayesha, he yielded up the ghost ; and there he lies buried. ” 1 This mosque and its adjoining chambers were constructed in a period of seven months, more or less. The Holy Prophet sa took up residence in his new home along with his wife Ḥaḍrat Saudah ra. Various other Muhājirīn also acquired land from the Anṣār , and built homes in close proximity of the mosque. Those who could not obtain land near the mosque constructed their homes at a distance from the mosque. Others were fortunate enough to procure pre-constructed houses from the Anṣār. Commencement of Adhān 2 Until now there was no arrangement for a call to Ṣalāt , or Adhān etc. The Companions would generally congregate in the mosque at the approximate time themselves. These state of affairs, however, were not satisfactory. Upon the construction of Masjid-e-Nabawī , the question as to how Muslims would be congregated at the appropriate time was felt even more. One Companion proposed the use of a bell, like the Christians. Someone proposed the use of a trumpet, like the Jews; and others made other suggestions. However, Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar ra proposed that an individual be appointed to announce that it is time for Ṣalāt at the appointed time. The Holy Prophet sa approved this proposal, and appointed Ḥaḍrat Bilāl ra to perform this duty. 3 As such, after this, when the time for Ṣalāt would arrive, Ḥaḍrat Bilāl ra would announce in a loud voice, 4 ٌ اَلصَّلوٰة ُ جَامِعَة and people would congregate for the Ṣalāt. As a matter of fact, the very same call would be made if it was necessary to congregate the Muslims in the mosque for a purpose other than the Ṣalāt as well. Sometime afterwards, the words of the current Adhān were taught to a Companion named ‘ Abdullāh bin Zaid Anṣārī ra , in a dream. He presented himself before the Holy Prophet sa and mentioned this dream saying, “I saw an individual in my dream call out such and such words as if calling the Adhān. ” The Holy Prophet sa said, “This dream is from Allāh,” and instructed ‘Abdullāh ra to teach these words to Bilāl ra. A strange coincidence was that when Bilāl ra called out the Adhān in these words for the very first time, upon hearing them, Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar ra made haste to the Holy 1 The Life of Mahomet, By Sir William Muir, Chapter VIII (The Mosque), how used, p. 186, Published by Smith, Elder & Co. London (1878) 2 The Muslim call to Ṣalāt [Publishers] 3 Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Adhān, Bābu Bad’il-Adhān, Ḥadīth No. 604 4 Meaning, ‘The Ṣalāt is about to be held in congregation. ’ [Publishers]