Some Mu''adhins (callers to Prayer)

Q: Please, Your Honor, I am a Mu'adhin (caller to Prayer) in the Masjid (mosque) of Al-Hazm Al-Jami' in the city of Raniah. Before the Fajr (Dawn) Adhan (call to Prayer), I make an announcement over the microphone saying, "Come to Salah (Prayer); come to Salah." I repeat it several times, and then I pronounce the Adhan. I do this to awaken the people who live near the Masjid, and I have done this for years. However, I recently heard that some scholars say that what I do before the Fajr Adhan is impermissible; it might even be a Bid`ah (innovation in religion). I do not want to do anything that is Makruh (disliked), so I had to ask Your Honor. Please advise me as to whether it is permissible or not, given that it helps most of the people who live near the Masjid wake up to attend the congregational Salah, especially for the Fajr Prayer. I will discontinue doing this until I receive your answer, may Allah preserve you.

A: Adhan was legislated in order to inform the people of the time to offer Salah (Part No. 6; Page No. 80) for the five obligatory prayers. It should be pronounced after the time of Salah becomes due, except Fajr which may be pronounced before its due time, so that people may offer Salah in congregation. The Mu'adhin should call it after the prayer becomes due, if there is no other Mu'adhin to do so. This was the practice during the era of the Prophet (peace be upon him). As for what you mentioned about announcing "Come to Salah" using the microphone, this is a baseless act that has no legal foundation in Shari`ah. It is enough to pronounce the prescribed Adhan.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.