Is It Valid to Pray Immediately After Hearing the Adhan? Fatwa Clarifies
Dar al-Ifta explains the ruling on starting prayer with the first call to Adhan, its permissibility, and the recommended etiquette to maximize reward.
Many Muslims wonder whether they can begin prayer immediately upon hearing the Adhan or should wait until it finishes. Dar al-Ifta clarified that it is not obligatory to wait until the Adhan ends, and one may start praying as soon as the caller says "Allahu Akbar," provided the Adhan is after the prayer time has begun.
Scholars’ Opinions:
Sheikh Mahmoud Shalaby confirmed that the prayer time begins with the first moment of Adhan, allowing immediate start of prayer.
Nevertheless, it is preferable to wait until the Adhan ends, recite the supplication "O Allah, Lord of this perfect call", and follow the full etiquette to gain the Prophet’s ﷺ intercession and additional reward.
Sheikh Ahmed Mamdouh emphasized that prayer during Adhan is valid, but waiting fulfills the Sunnah and secures full reward.
In urgent cases, starting prayer immediately is permissible.
Sheikh Owaidah Othman noted that praying before the time or before the Adhan is invalid as a Fard, though it counts as Nafl if unintentional.
Conclusion:
It is permissible to begin prayer with the first call to Adhan, but the recommended practice is to wait until it ends, recite the prescribed supplications, and send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ, then perform the Fard prayer with focus to achieve maximum reward.
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