Iqamah in Arabic Text, Meaning In English with Transliteration
In Islamic tradition, announcing the start of the five daily prayers is a significant act. The adhan, or call to prayer, is a well-known practice that signals the beginning of each prayer time. Additionally, the iqamah serves as a reminder that the prayer is about to commence.
In this article, we will delve into the meaning, transliteration, Arabic text, and pronunciation of iqamah, exploring its significance in the Islamic faith.
What Is Iqamah In Islam?
The term “iqamah” translates to “to make someone stand” or “to alert someone.” In the context of prayer, it signifies the announcement that the prayer is about to begin, prompting individuals to stand and prepare for the congregational prayer.
The Iqamah is the Islamic second call to salah (prayer), given immediately before prayer begins, which signals that it’s time for the prayer to start. It’s recited by a caller, usually the Mu’adhdhin in a mosque, after the first call to prayer, which is called the Adhan.
It is intended merely to draw the attention of those already in the mosque, rather than to remind those outside the mosque to come in.
The phrases of the iqama and the adhan are the same, though there are variations among sects in the preferred number of repetitions of the phrases.
Iqamah Words Meaning In English
The meaning of Iqamah is Allah is the Greatest, Allah is Greatest; I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah; I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Come to Prayer. Come to success. Salat is ready. Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest; There is none worthy of worship except Allah.
Iqamah in Arabic
If you want to recite the Iqama, it’s best to memorize it so you can say it alone. The Arabic text for Iqamah are:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لا إِلَهَ إِلا اللَّهُ، أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، حَيَّ عَلَى الصَّلاةِ، حَيَّ عَلَى الْفَلاحِ، قَدْ قَامَتْ الصَّلَاةُ ، قَدْ قَامَتْ الصَّلَاةُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، لا إِلَهَ إِلا اللَّهُ
Iqamah Transliteration
Iqamah is ranslitterated as Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar; Ashhadu alla Ilaha illallah; Ashhadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah; Hayya ‘alas-Salah; Hayya ‘alal-Falah; Qad qamatis-Salatu, Qad qamatis-salah; Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar; La Ilaha Illallah.
Several forms of the iqamah have been narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
Two forms of the iqamah have been narrated from Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him); one form has 11 phrases and the other has 17 phrases.
These two versions were proven in sound narrations from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Whoever does either of them is following the Sunnah.
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Iqamah Words
The table below shows the words of Iqamah in Arabic text, transliteration and translation.
| Arabic | Transliteration | English |
| اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ | Allahu Akbar | Allah is Greatest |
| اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ | Allahu Akbar | Allah is Greatest |
| أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لا إِلَهَ إِلا اللَّهُ | Ashhadu alla Ilaha illallah | I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah |
| أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ | Ashhadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah | I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah |
| حَيَّ عَلَى الصَّلاةِ | Hayya ‘alal-salah | Come to Prayer |
| حَيَّ عَلَى الْفَلاحِ | Hayya ‘alal-Falah | Come to success |
| قَدْ قَامَتْ الصَّلَاةُ | Qad qamatis-Salatu | Salat is ready |
| قَدْ قَامَتْ الصَّلَاةُ | Qad qamatis-salah | Salat is ready |
| اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ | Allahu Akbar | Allah is Greatest |
| اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ | Allahu Akbar | Allah is Greatest |
| لا إِلَهَ إِلا اللَّهُ | La Ilaha Illallah | There is none worthy of worship except Allah. |
Reciting Iqamah with the Same Number of Phrases as Adhan
Shaykh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about the permissibility of reciting the iqamah with the same number of phrases as the adhan.
He replied, “That is not only permissible but also one of the Sunnahs in pronouncing the adhan.”
This is based on the hadith of Abu Mahdhurah (may Allah be pleased with him), who narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) taught him the adhan and iqamah in al-Masjid al-Haram during the Conquest of Makkah.
It is acceptable to mention the phrases of the iqamah once only, except for the phrase “Qad qamat il-salah” (prayer is about to begin) and the takbir (Allahu akbar), as Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) used to do in the Mosque of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
This is also supported by the hadith of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), who narrated that Bilal would say the phrases of the adhan twice and the phrases of the iqamah once in the presence of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
However, in cases where multiple ways of performing an act of worship have been narrated, it is recommended that Muslims do not adhere to just one particular way and ignore the rest.
Instead, they should strive to do everything that has been proven from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
This means that one can recite the iqamah of Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) one time and the iqamah of Abu Mahdhurah (may Allah be pleased with him) another time.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) emphasized, “The correct view is to accept everything that has been narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and not to disapprove of any of these narrations.”
He encouraged Muslims to follow the Sunnah completely by doing it one way one time and another way another time, and to avoid forsaking what has been narrated in the Sunnah.
