Page:Selections from Muhammadan Traditions - tr. William Goldsack (1923).djvu/48

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It is related from Anas that he said (when the question of calling to prayer was being discussed), 'Some mentioned a fire and a bell. They also mentioned (the customs) of the Jews and Christians. Then Bilál was ordered to make the call to prayer twice, and to repeat the words "Prayer is now ready," once.'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.

It is related from Abú Maḥdhurah that, 'The Apostle of God himself placed on me the duty of calling to prayer and said, "Say, 'God is great, God is great, God is great, God is great. I bear witness that there is no God but Alláh, I bear witness that there is no God but Alláh; I bear witness that Muḥammad is the Apostle of God, I bear witness that Muḥammad is the Apostle of God.' Then repeat it and say, 'I bear witness that there is no God but Alláh, I bear witness that there is no God but Alláh; I bear witness that Muḥammad is the Apostle of God, I bear witness that Muḥammad is the Apostle of God. Come to prayers, come to prayers. Come to salvation, come to salvation. God is great, God is great. There is no God but Alláh."'—Muslim.

It is related from Ibn ʿOmar that he said, 'When the Muslims came to Medina they used to come together and draw near for prayer; and there was no one (appointed) to call them to it. And on a certain day they were discussing the matter, and some of them said, "Let us take something like the bell of the Christians," and others said, "Let us take a horn like the horn of the Jews." And ʿOmar said, "Why do ye not appoint a man to call to prayers?" Then the Apostle of God said, " O Bilál, rise up and call to prayers."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.

It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin Zaid that he said, 'When the Apostle of God ordered a bell to be rung for calling the people to come together for prayers, there came to me a person as I slept, carrying a bell in his hand. I said, "O servant of God, wilt thou sell the bell?" He replied, "And what wilt thou do with it?" I said, "With it I will call the people to prayers." He replied, "Shall I not point thee to something better than that?" I said to him, "Yes." He said, "Say, God is great" to the end of the call, and thus with the announcement of being ready for prayers. And when I arose in the