Adhan, Muezzin and Salat

**morteduzionism** · November 17, 2008, 10:24 AM

Sorry if I misspelled something.

I have question.

First let me make sure I understand these terms: adhan -is the Muslim call to prayer; muezzin -the person who performs the call; salat -Muslim daily prayers

Does the adhan allow for a certain amount of...individuality from the muezzin?

NOTE: I DON't SPEAK/UNDERSTAND ARABIC...

The reason I'm asking is that I've seen/heard a couple of these calls and it seems like some of the guys are...performing. Or is it just a different call for each prayer?

Here in the US gospel music is a growing genre and now some churches treat their choirs like...rock bands. I've even heard some instances where church choirs have not allowed people to join because they didn't have a strong musical background.<---this is pretty sad and an indictment on the sanctity of Christianity/churches

Although I don't expect muezzin's to begin cutting record deals anytime soon I was curious if these guys are doing what I expect they're doing: putting their own idividuality into a call for prayer

**jankren** · November 17, 2008, 12:14 PM

All over the Muslim world the composition of the adhan is more or less the same.

**Каие** · November 17, 2008, 01:32 PM

The words of the Adhan are the same. But the way it is said and called out [in an almost song like feature] differs from person to person, largely personal preference. No right or wrong.

**Chaigidel** · November 17, 2008, 03:10 PM

there are actually several prayer singers who already sell albums-- and they sing calls to prayer and other bits of praise --- the sufis have wonderful music as well

but already they are selling this call its quite enchanting really.

**morteduzionism** · November 18, 2008, 07:05 AM

Originally Posted by Chaigidel

there are actually several prayer singers who already sell albums-- and they sing calls to prayer and other bits of praise --- the sufis have wonderful music as well

but already they are selling this call its quite enchanting really.

Tsk, tsk, tsk...

That's a slippery slope.

That's why I mentioned the experiences with some churches that I know about.

The churches are essentially using the choir to generate revenue. Like I said, now the choir won't even let some people be members. It was a time when the choir was just an opportunity for the congregation to "sing" their praise.

Now...

Money.

Churches selling CD's. Churches/choirs caring more about how well someone can sing than the fact they want to praise their god. Churches recruiting ringers, semi-professional singers that are convinced to become members of the church specifically to sing in the choir. It's like college football almost.

I suppose it's not the same in Islam. No choir, right? :hmmm:...I wonder how long before one of the muezzins goes platinum? Once the others see the potential...Pandora's box will be open...

**Bovril** · November 18, 2008, 09:46 AM

In built up areas with lots of small mosques near to each other the muezins use amplifying equipment and try to stand out. In places wit a single mosque, a more traditional aproach is usually taken although much to the consternation of traditionalists and purists (such as myself) some stoop to using recordings. I lived in Dubai for a year. Where I lived you woke up each morning to the sound of a solitary call to prayer. I liked that, but I expect these days there are none since where my house was is now towerblocks full of westerners and embassies.

**Каие** · November 18, 2008, 11:13 AM

It's strictly forbidden to put Quranic scripture to music in Islam, to my understanding. So I doubt any Imam [lol] will be releasing any albums soon. Sorry guys

**Chaigidel** · November 18, 2008, 09:02 PM

its not forbidden to recite the names of the islamic founders to music nor is it forbidden to recite god is great

pretty much all the sufi music ive heard is just repititions of ali muhammad allah oo akbar

**PointOfViewGun** · November 18, 2008, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by Chaigidel

pretty much all the sufi music ive heard is just repititions of ali muhammad allah oo akbar

It's much more than that. It really has a mystical side to it and a very relaxing kind of music.

**Каие** · November 19, 2008, 01:48 AM

Originally Posted by Chaigidel

pretty much all the sufi music ive heard is just repititions of ali muhammad allah oo akbar

The Suffis are another branch altogether. They use music etc. as a form of spiritual finding. Conventional Islam, that is not the case.

**Chaigidel** · November 19, 2008, 07:00 AM

but still, they dont recite passages of the qurah, only god is great , and the names of the founders of islam.

I do love it, I know those people sing to god when I hear them, and I dont have to know anything else. God loves the sufi.

**Каие** · November 19, 2008, 12:45 PM

I was under the impression you hated Muslims.

**Chaigidel** · November 20, 2008, 07:19 AM

no I hate people my good man, I find the various palaces they have built to be quite mesmerising and perhaps the only reason that they should remain existant.

**Каие** · November 20, 2008, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by Chaigidel

no I hate people my good man, I find the various palaces they have built to be quite mesmerising and perhaps the only reason that they should remain existant.

The only reason for their existence? :hmmm:Although I must agree, Moorish architecture is quite breathtaking for example.

**white-wolf** · November 20, 2008, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by morteduzionism

Sorry if I misspelled something.

I have question.

First let me make sure I understand these terms: adhan -is the Muslim call to prayer; muezzin -the person who performs the call; salat -Muslim daily prayers

Does the adhan allow for a certain amount of...individuality from the muezzin?

NOTE: I DON't SPEAK/UNDERSTAND ARABIC...

The reason I'm asking is that I've seen/heard a couple of these calls and it seems like some of the guys are...performing. Or is it just a different call for each prayer?

Here in the US gospel music is a growing genre and now some churches treat their choirs like...rock bands. I've even heard some instances where church choirs have not allowed people to join because they didn't have a strong musical background.<---this is pretty sad and an indictment on the sanctity of Christianity/churches

Although I don't expect muezzin's to begin cutting record deals anytime soon I was curious if these guys are doing what I expect they're doing: putting their own idividuality into a call for prayer

- It is "haram" (forbidden) in Islam to sing Ku'ran su'rahs.

- In Turkey, each adhan (ezan in Turkish) is called in different ma'kam (different type of calling) for the time of the day. Although ma'kams are derived from Classical Turkish Art Music, Adhan calling is not music.

**Chaigidel** · November 20, 2008, 12:12 PM

The adnan is music, in every respect ; do not delude yourself for the sake of dogma, god wants to hear singing.

**Chaigidel** · November 20, 2008, 05:49 PM

lol no I mean people in general and by palaces I mean all the constructs

the ghost dance
the whirling dervish
hagia sophia
kabaa
10000 gods

its all so beautiful a painting that can never be completely revealed--I think our only reason for existence is the variety and nuance of our various cultures and developments in those cultures