Is It Correct to Respond to the Adhan with ‘Marhaban Bil-Qaileen’?

Proper Response to the Adhan: What Should You Say When the Muezzin Says ‘Allahu Akbar’?

Question: A sister says that when the muezzin says “Allahu Akbar,” we should respond with “Marhaban bil-qaileen ‘adlan marhaban bis-salati ahlan.” Is this correct?

Answer: In religious and Sharia matters, there is a principle you should follow: if someone tells you something you are unsure about, ask them for evidence because religion is based on evidence. If they cannot provide evidence, you have the right to ask why they are making such statements without proof. If they do provide evidence, then verify whether it is correct or not.

Regarding responding to the adhan (call to prayer), the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “When you hear the muezzin, say what he says” (Sahih Muslim: 849). 

In light of this hadith, we should respond to the adhan with the same words, except for “Hayya ‘ala as-salah” and “Hayya ‘ala al-falah,” for which there is specific guidance. For “Allahu Akbar,” we should respond with “Allahu Akbar” and nothing else. The phrase “Marhaban bil-qaileen…” is not proven from any hadith, so it should not be said in response to “Allahu Akbar.” Anyone who says this is going against the command of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and should be gently corrected with evidence so they can follow the correct hadith and earn the reward for properly responding to the adhan.

 Answered by: Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi (May Allah preserve him)

Jeddah Dawah Center, Hayy Al-Salamah, Saudi Arabia