Tasbih & Muezzin
A muezzin is the person who recites the adhan (call to prayer), the sala (call to prayer before the prayer), and the salutations and tasbih prayers in mosques. The position of muezzin has existed since the time of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The first muezzin was Bilal al-Habashi. Any male member of the congregation can be a muezzin. It is generally accepted that a person who will be a muezzin should be able to read the Quran and have a beautiful voice.
The adhan is recited first to invite people to prayer. The Turkish pronunciation and meaning of the Adhan: “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the greatest) (4 times), “Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah” (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah) (2 times), “Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasûlullah” (I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah) (2 times), “Hayya ala as-salah” (Come to prayer) (2 times), “Hayya ala al-falah” (Come to salvation) (2 times), “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the greatest) (2 times), “La ilaha illallah” (There is no god but Allah) (1 time). Note: In the morning call to prayer (adhan), after the phrase "Hayye ale’l-felâh," the phrase "es-Salâtü hayrün mine’n-nevm" (Prayer is better than sleep) is recited twice.
It is a sunnah (recommended practice) to recite the prayer after the adhan, and our Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever recites this prayer, my intercession will be obligatory for him." (Bukhari, Adhan, 8) The Turkish Pronunciation and Meaning of the Adhan Prayer “Allahumme Rabbe hezihi’d-da’veti’t-tâmme. Vesselatil kâimeti âti Muhammedenil vesilete vel fazîlete vebashu makâmen Mahmudenillezi veadteh.” (Bukhari, Adhan, 8) “O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and this prayer that is about to be performed! Grant Muhammad the means and the virtue. And grant him the Station of Mahmud which You promised him and bring him there, for surely You do not break Your promise.”
The Iqamah is a phrase similar to the Adhan, recited before the obligatory prayers to announce the beginning of the prayer. It is Sunnah for men to recite the Iqamah before every obligatory prayer, whether prayed in congregation or alone. Reciting the Iqamah is also Sunnah for missed prayers. Reciting the Iqamah is a Sunnah outside of the prayer itself; one earns reward when recited, and one is deprived of reward when not recited. The Turkish pronunciation and meaning of the Iqamah: “Allahu Akbar” (4 times), “Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah” (2 times), “Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasûlullah” (2 times), “Hayya ala’s-salâh” (2 times), “Hayya ala’l-falâh” (2 times), “Qad qamati’s-salâh” (2 times), “Allahu Akbar” (2 times), “La ilaha illallah” (1 time).