To: The Respected Chief Mufti (May Allah preserve him)
Subject: Regarding the Call to Prayer (Adhan).
Issue: Once, the Mu'adhin (caller to prayer) of our local mosque called the Adhan before the prescribed time (Waqt) for the prayer had begun.
Query: What I wish to know from the respected Chief Mufti is: Was his Adhan valid (Sahih)? Furthermore, is it necessary to repeat the Adhan after the prescribed prayer time enters? I would be grateful if you kindly provide the ruling with Islamic legal evidence (Dalil). May Allah be your helper.
Ruling: Because the Adhan was called before the prescribed prayer time (Waqt) had commenced, his Adhan is not valid. Therefore, he must repeat the Adhan once the prescribed time for the prayer enters. However, according to some jurists (specifically Imam Abu Yusuf), the ruling regarding the Fajr Adhan is different—where if the Adhan is called before the time begins (in the latter half of the night), it does not need to be repeated; though repeating it after dawn enters remains the authoritative position of Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Muhammad.
Al-Asl (1/110), Al-Bahr al-Ra'iq (1/456), Fatawa Rahimiyyah (4/94), Aap Kay Masail Aur Unka Hal (3/307).
