Adhan
Adhan (أَذَان) is the Islamic call to prayer. It is broadcasted loudly from mosques 5 times a day.
The text
The shias add one verse about Ali and they utter the last sentence 2 times.
| rep. | Arabic | Transliteration | Translation | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4x | ٱللهُ أَكْبَر | Allahu Akbar | Allah is the greatest | He is greater than the other gods worshiped by polytheists in Mecca in the 7th century. |
| 2x | أَشْهََدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللهُ | Ashadu an la ilaha illa Allah | I testify that there is no god but Allah | Muslims testify Allah exists, although they haven't seen him. |
| 2x | أَشْهََدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رُسُولُ ٱلله | Ashadu an Muhammad rasul Allah | I testify that Muhammad is a messenger of Allah | Muslim today testify about Muhammad, although they have never seen him. |
| 2x | أَشْهََدُ أَنَّ عليا ولي الله | Ashadu Anna Aliyan wali-ullah | I testify that Ali is a vicergent of Allah | This is recited only by shia Muslims. |
| 2x | حَيَّ عَلَىٰ ٱلصَّلاة | Hayya 'ala salah | Hasten to prayer | Don't stay home refusing to pray. Missing a prayer is considered a big sin. |
| 2x | حَيَّ عَلَىٰ ٱلْفَلاَح | Hayya 'ala falah | Hasten to victory | Practicing Islam gives you victory in this world (over the disbelievers) and in the next life (paradise full of virgins you will have sex with) |
| 2x | ٍٱلصَّلاَةُ خَيْرٌ مِنَ ٱلنَّوم | As-Salatu khayrun min an-nawm | A prayer is better than sleep. | This is recited only in the early morning prayer as a warning for Muslims who would rather sleep instead. |
| 2x | الله أكبر | Allahu Akbar | Allah is the greatest | It's repeated again. Muslims repeat this phrase over and over again. Although repeating something over and over again doesn't make it true. |
| 1x | لا إله إلا الله | La ilaha illa Allah | There's no god but Allah | It is often said to mean "There is no other god, worthy of worship, than Allah". Shias say this two times. |
What is Falah
The word falah (فلاح) is derived from the root f-l-h (فلح). There are a lot of words derived from this root in the Quran. It means success or victory [1].
The Quran talks about falah in the context of jihad. Those who do jihad (physical fighting) against disbelievers are better than those who remained home and refused to participate in the Islamic imperialism.
They preferred to be with those who remained behind, and a seal is set on their hearts so they do not understand.
But the Messenger and those who believe with him strive hard (جَاهَدُوا, jaahadoo) with their property and their persons; and these it is who shall have the good things and these it is who shall be successful (الْمُفْلِحُونَ, al-muflihoon).
The word jaahadoo is from the same root as jihad and the word muflihoon is from the same root as falah. So the promised success (falah) is not only the paradise with virgins, but also the spoils of war.