The Adhan is the Islamic call to prayer. Here is an English translation of the Adhan, including some differences according to different Islamic sects (Madahib).
Islamic Laws, by Seyed Sistani.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
| Recital | Arabic | Transliteration | Translation | Sect |
| 4x* |  |
Allah u Akbar | God is greater | Sunni & Shia |
| 2x |  |
Ash-hadu alla ilaha illallah | I bear witness that there is no lord except God | Sunni & Shia |
| 2x |  |
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan rasulullah | I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God | Sunni & Shia |
| 2x** |  |
Ash-hadu anna Aliya wali-ul-lah | I bear witness that Ali is the vice regent of God | Shia Only |
| 2x |  |
Hayya 'alas-salat | Make haste towards prayer | Sunni & Shia |
| 2x |  |
Hayya 'alal-falah | Make haste towards welfare | Sunni & Shia |
| 2x*** |  |
Assalatu khayru min an-naum | Prayer is better than sleep | Sunni Only |
| 2x |  |
Hayya- al Khair al amal | Make haste towards the best thing | Shia Only |
| 2x | |
Allah u Akbar | God is greater | Sunni & Shia |
| 2x**** |  |
La ilaha illallah | There is no lord except God | Sunni & Shia |
* Followers of the Maliki Madhab say this line twice instead of four times.
** The line "I bear witness that Ali is the vice regent of God" is recited by Shias, but NOT as a part of the Adhan. Rather, according to Shia scholars it is preferable with the intention of Qurbat. A phrase like "Ameer-ul-Mu'mineen" (The Commander of the Faithful), may be added to the end of that line. Sometimes a variation of it may be recited the second time (such as "ash'hadu anna aliyyan amir al-mo'mineena wali'ul-lah" - I bear witness that Ali, The Commander of the Faithful is the Friend of Allah).
*** The line "Prayer is better than sleep" is recited by Sunnis only for the first prayer of the day at dawn (fajr salat).
**** Shias repeat this line twice.
References