Iqama
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The word iqama (Arabic: إقامة) refers to the second call to Islamic Prayer, given immediately before the prayer begins. Generally speaking, the iqama is given more quickly and in a more monotone fashion, as compared to the adhan. It differs from the first call to prayer, the adhan in only one place (line 6, below):
God is Greatest, God is Greatest, | الله اكبر الله اكبر | āllahu ākbar, āllahu ākbar |
I assert that there is no god but God | اشهد ان لا اله الا الله | āsh'hadu ān lā ilaha illā-llah |
I assert that Muhammad is the Messenger of God | اشهد ان محمد رسول الله | āsh'hadu ānna mūhammadār rasūlu-llah |
Come to the prayer | حي على الصلاة | hayyā `alā-s-salat |
Come to salvation | حي على الفلاح | hayyā `alā-l-falāh |
Stand for prayer (twice) | قد قامت الصلاة | qad qāma tis-salaat |
God is Greatest, God is Greatest | الله اكبر الله اكبر | āllahu ākbar, āllahu ākbar |
There is no god but God | لا اله الا الله | lā ilaha illā-llah |
It should be noted that according to Hanafi school of thought, similar to Shia Muslims, the content of the Iqama is the same as the Adhan i.e. the number of times the lines are recited are the same, but with 'Stand for prayer' read twice after 'Come to salvation'.
[edit] Shia Iqama:
After I assert that Muhammad is the Messenger of God, Shia Muslims may recite: Ashahadu ana Aliyun Wali Allah (I assert that Ali is the vicegerent of God). And after Come to salvation, Haya Ala Khairil Amal (Come to the best deed) is recited.
"God is the greatest" (twice) | الله اكبر | Allāhu akbar |
"I bear witness that there is no god except God" (twice) | اشهد ان لا اله الا الله | Ash'hadu anna lā 'ilaha 'illāl-lāh |
"I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God" (twice) | اشهد ان محمد الرسول الله | Ash'hadu anna Muĥammadan-rasūlul-lāh |
"I bear witness that Ali is the vicegerent of God"* (twice) | اشهد ان عليا ولي الله | Ash'hadu anna 'alīyā walī'ul-lāh |
"Make haste towards prayer" (twice) | حي على الصلاة | Hayya `alāŝ-ŝalāt |
"Make haste towards welfare" (twice) | حي على الفلاح | Hayya `alāl-falāĥ |
"Make haste towards the best deed" (twice) | حي على خير العمل | Hayya `alā khaīril-'amal |
"Stand for prayer" (twice) | قد قامت الصلاة | qad qāma tis-salaat |
"God is great" (twice) | الله اكبر | Allāhu akbar |
"There is no god except God" (once) | لا اله الا الله | Lā 'ilaha 'illāl-lāh |
- The line "I bear witness that Ali is the vicegerent of God" is preferable and, although not mandatory, most Shia recite it. Phrases like "Ameer-ul-Mu'mineen" (The commander of the faithful), "wa abna'unhu al-ma'soomeen hujjaju Allah" (and his infallible sons are the proofs of God), may be added to the end of that line.