Differences Between the Adhan & Iqama

Answered by Sidi Salman Younas

Question: What are the differences between the adhan and iqama?

Answer: assalamu `alaykum

Generally, the call to prayer (adhan) and the call to commence (iqama) are the same. However, there are a few differences between them, which include:

1. The additional wording of “the prayer has commenced” (qad qamat al-salat) in the iqama.
2. The iqama being recited in a quicker manner than the adhan.
3. The person giving the iqama does not place his fingers in his ears nor does he turn his head left or right.

[Ibn `Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

These are the major differences between the two, though there are more relating to dislikedness, repeating the recitation of each, and so forth.

Wasalam
Salman

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani