Understanding the Adhan and Iqamah: Can We Use a Single Adhan and Double Iqamah?

The Proper Practice of Adhan and Iqamah: Insights from Authentic Hadith

1. Can we give a single Adhan and then a double Iqamah?

Answer:The Adhan is not given in a single form; the Iqamah can be given in a single form, and this is the original practice, as indicated by the command of the Messenger ﷺ. 

   عن أنسٍ قال : أُمِرَ بلالٌ أن يَشْفَعَ الأذانَ ، وأن يُوتِرَ الإقامةَ ، إلَّا الإقامةَ .(صحيح البخاري:605)  

   Translation: It was narrated from Anas that Bilal was commanded to say the Adhan in pairs (two times) and to say the Iqamah in odd (one time) except for the phrase “قد قامت الصلاة” (the prayer has been established), which is said twice. 

   This practice was common during the time of the Prophet ﷺ, as stated by Ibn Umar:  

   إنما كان الأذانُ على عهدِ رسولِ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مرتين مرتين والإقامةُ مرةً مرةً غيرَ أنه يقولُ قد قامتِ الصلاةُ قد قامتِ الصلاةُ فإذا سمِعنا الإقامةَ توضأنا ثم خرجنا إلى الصلاةِ.(صحيح أبي داود:510)  

   Translation: During the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, the words of the Adhan were said twice, and the Iqamah was said once, except for “قد قامت الصلاة قد قامت الصلاة,” which was said twice. When we heard the Iqamah, we would perform ablution and go out for prayer. 

Since the narration of Abu Mahdhurah, which is found in Sunan Ibn Majah, Sunan Nasai, Sunan Abi Dawood, and Sahih Ibn Hibban, is authentic, there is no harm in saying a double Iqamah.

Answer by: Sheikh Maqbool Ahmad Salafi, Jeddah Dawah Center, Saudi Arabia