ابن ماجہ · Hadith 707

It was narrated from Salim, from his father, that the Prophet P.B.U.H consulted the people as to how he could call them to the prayer. They suggested a horn, but he disliked that because of the Jews (because the Jews used a horn). Then they suggested a bell but he disliked that because of the Christians (because the Christians used a bell). Then that night the call to the prayer was shown in a dream to a man from among the Ansâr whose name was ‘Abdullâh bin Zaid, and to ‘Umar bin Khattáb. The Ansari man came to the Messenger of Allah P.B.U.H at night, and the Messenger of Allah P.B.U.H commanded Bilal to give the call to the prayer. (Da’if) Zuhri said: “Bildal added the phrase “As-salâtu khairum minannawm (the prayer is better than sleep)” to the call for the morning prayer, and the Messenger of Allah p.b.u.h approved of that.”‘Umar said: “0 Messenger of Allah p.b.u.h, I saw the same as he did, but he beat me to it.”

Translated by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan · Reviewed by Islamic University of Madinah · Published March 2020