In Makkah, the number of muslims were small. They could make Jama’ah without any call. When Prophet Muhammad
(SAW) arrived in Madinah, the number of Muslims started to increase. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) built Masjid Al-Nabawi to offer Salaah regularly. By the second year of Hijrah, the number of Muslims had increased. The people announced in a loud voice. “As-salat ul-jamiah (the Salaah for jama’ah is ready).” Those who heard this call came to join the Salaah. Muslims felt the need to find a way to inform people to come to the Salaah. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) asked his Sahabah for their advice. Some Sahabah suggested that the muslims, like the jews, should blow a horn to announce the time for the Salaah. Others said, the muslims might ring bells as the christians do in their churches. A few proposed that the muslims, like the fire-worshippers, kindle a fire to call people to pray. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) wasn’t satisfied with any of these ideas.
He waited to hear a better idea or to receive guidance from Allah. One day, a Sahabi, Abdullah ibn Zaid came to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and said, “O Messenger of Allah! I had a beautiful dream last night.” “What was the dream you saw”, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) asked Zaid. Zaid answered, “I’ve seen that a man wearing green garment taught me the words of the Adhan and advised me to call people to prayer with these words.” He then recited the words of the Adhan. The words were beautiful and full of meaning. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) recognized that the dream of Zaid was true. He asked Zaid to teach the words of Adhan to Bilal. Bilal stood up and called the Adhan.
The voice of Bilal resounded throughout the Madinah. People came running to Masjid Al-Nabawi. Umar ibn Khatib was one of the persons who came and said: “O Messanger of Allah, an angel taught me the same words in my dream last night.” And Prophet Muhammad (SAW) accepted this Adhan as the official call to the Salaah.
