The Iqamah (الإقامة)
The second call to prayer - recited just before salah begins. Learn the full text with Arabic, transliteration, and meaning.
اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest
Said twice (Hanafi: 4 times)
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ
Ash-hadu an la ilaha illa Allah
I bear witness that there is no god but Allah
Said once (Hanafi: twice)
أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللهِ
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah
I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
Said once (Hanafi: twice)
حَيَّ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ
Hayya 'alas-Salah
Come to prayer
Said once (Hanafi: twice)
حَيَّ عَلَى الْفَلَاحِ
Hayya 'alal-Falah
Come to success
Said once (Hanafi: twice)
قَدْ قَامَتِ الصَّلَاةُ قَدْ قَامَتِ الصَّلَاةُ
Qad qamatis-Salah, qad qamatis-Salah
The prayer has been established, the prayer has been established
Said twice - unique to Iqamah
اللهُ أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest
Said twice
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ
La ilaha illa Allah
There is no god but Allah
Said once
Adhan vs. Iqamah - Key Differences
| Aspect | Adhan | Iqamah |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Announces prayer time | Signals prayer is starting now |
| Volume | Loud, projected outside | Inside mosque, moderate voice |
| Speed | Slow and melodic | Faster and concise |
| Repetition | Most phrases said twice | Most phrases said once |
| "Qad qamatis-salah" | Not included | Added twice |
| When | At prayer time entry | Just before the imam starts |
When & How to Say Iqamah
In Congregation
The muezzin (or any appointed person) says the Iqamah after the Imam is ready and the rows are straightened. Everyone stands up when they hear it.
Praying Alone
When praying alone at home, saying the Iqamah before your prayer is Sunnah for men. It confirms your intention and transitions you into the sacred space of salah.
Fajr Note
For Fajr prayer, the Adhan includes the phrase "As-Salatu khayrun minan-nawm" (Prayer is better than sleep). This phrase is NOT in the Iqamah - it's only in the Fajr Adhan.
Hanafi Difference
In the Hanafi madhab, the Iqamah is longer - similar in length to the Adhan, with phrases repeated twice instead of once, plus "Qad qamatis-salah" added twice.
What the Prophet (ﷺ) Said
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Between the Adhan and the Iqamah, there is a dua that is not rejected." The companions asked: "What should we say, O Messenger of Allah?" He replied: "Ask Allah for well-being in this world and the Hereafter." (Sunan Abu Dawud 521, Tirmidhi 212)
This means the time between Adhan and Iqamah is one of the special times when dua is accepted. Use this window to make personal supplications before the prayer begins.