Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Call to Prayer
While the call to prayer sounds spooky to many Americans, I find that with some
understanding it becomes beautiful. Traditionally, just before the sun rises, an imam
(prayer leader) stares at his arm. When he can tell a gray hair from a black one, it's
time to call his community to prayer. While quality and warble varies, across Islam
the Arabic words of the call to prayer are exactly the same. The first call to prayer
of the day starts with an extra line:
Praying is better than sleeping
God is great (Allahhhhhh hu akbar…)
I witness there is no other God but Allah
I witness Muhammad is Allah's prophet
Come join the prayer
Come to be saved
God is great…God is great
There is no other God but Allah.
