Iqama Meaning in Islam: Definition, Purpose, and Practice

Islamic rituals have deep meanings that are more than just what is seen. One such ritual is the Iqama meaning, Iqama is called right before the group prayer begins. While the Adhan tells people when it’s time to pray, the Iqama is the signal that the congregational prayer is about to start. To really understand the  Iqama meaning , it’s important to look at it through the eyes of Islamic scholars, as they focus on both the rules of worship and its spiritual importance.

Definition of iqama meaning in Islamic tradition

Do you look at the Kaaba and see around it thousands of people, sometimes even reaching a million, and then within a minute—or at most three minutes—all of them are able to align themselves in circles, facing one single direction with order and equal spacing? This is what the Iqama does! With just a few words uttered by the Mu’adhin, you can witness this magnificent scene. ( Mu’adhin is the person who calls the Adhan or Iqama).

The iqama meaning in Islamic tradition is to “establish” or “to make something stand.” In the context of prayer, it is a short announcement that signals  the actual start of the salah. It is not the same as the Adhan, which is a longer call to prayer that is made at the  appointed time.

So, the Iqama meaning is an audible declaration that the congregation should now stand up, align themselves, and prepare for immediate prayer. Thus, the iqama meaning is not only a verbal declaration but also a spiritual reminder of readiness, discipline, and presence before Allah, and it is a reminder to Muslims of the importance of unity in their rows and gathering upon goodness

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Difference between Adhan and Iqama

The Adhan is an announcement of the entrance of prayer time, with specific and well-known words, in a particular manner through which this announcement is conveyed. The Iqama meaning shows that Iqama shares with the Adhan the function of being an announcement; however, they differ in that the announcement in the Iqama is directed to those present who are prepared to commence the prayer, whereas the Adhan is for those absent so that they may prepare for it. While both are calls connected to salah, they have distinct purposes.

Adhan: The Adhan is the first call to prayer, recited to inform the community that the time for salah has entered. Its function is general and invitational. Also, the Adhan is a communal obligation (fard kifayah) upon men; if some perform it sufficiently, the sin is lifted from the rest. 

Iqama: The Iqama, on the other hand, is recited just before the prayer begins. Its purpose is immediate — to establish the act of prayer.  Iqama is a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah Mua’kadah) and not obligatory. Ibn Qudamah said in al-Mughni: ‘Whoever prays without Adhan and without Iqama, we deem it disliked for him, but he does not have to repeat the prayer

That means, the Adhan calls people from their homes, markets, and daily activities, while the Iqama brings the congregation into a unified state of readiness before Allah so  their timings and functions differ significantly.

Words of the Iqama explained

The iqama meaning can be further understood by analyzing its wording. Beside the previous differences between the  Adhan and the Iqama, another difference is their wording. You can learn the wording of the Adhan by reading this page, while the wording of the Iqama is as follows:

Allahu Akbar: Said twice at the beginning of the Iqama.
meaning: Allah is the Greatest

Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah: Said once.
meaning: I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah

Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasul Allah : Said once.
meaning: I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

Hayya ‘ala al-salah, Hayya ‘ala al-falah: Each is said once.
meaning:  Come to prayer, Come to success

Qad qamati al-salah : Said twice.
meaning: The prayer has been established

Allahu Akbar
meaning: Allah is the Greatest

La ilaha illa Allah : Said once.
meaning: There is no deity except Allah

The addition of qad qamati al-salah (and how many we say the sentences) is what distinguishes the Iqama from the Adhan. This phrase captures the essence of iqama meaning, as it literally says: “The prayer has been established.” It signals that the waiting period is over and the congregation must now rise.

When and how Iqama is called before prayer

In practice, the Iqama is called after the Adhan and before the actual start of salah. According to the Sunnah, there are some Etiquettes of the Iqama:

– Hastening in it: Ibn Qudamah said in al-Mughni: “One should prolong the Adhan and hasten in the Iqama.” Prolonging (tarassul) means taking one’s time and slowing down, while hastening (tahdir) is the opposite, meaning to recite quickly and avoid prolongation. This is among the etiquettes and recommended practices of the Adhan, as the Prophet ﷺ said: “When you give the Adhan, prolong it, and when you establish the Iqama, hasten it.”

– Purity (Taharah): It is disliked to perform the Iqama without being in a state of ritual purity.

– Good appearance: Both the Mu’adhin and the one giving the Iqama should be clean in body and clothing, and maintain a proper and dignified demeanor.

– Performed by the one who gave the Adhan: This is the opinion of the Shafi’i school. The Prophet ﷺ said in the narration of Ziyad ibn al-Harith: “A brother who calls the Adhan should also establish the Iqama.”

Rulings Related to the Iqama:

– The Imam has precedence over it: The Imam is the most knowledgeable in establishing the Iqama. It was narrated that Bilal would seek permission from the Prophet ﷺ, and Abu Hafs narrated via his chain from Ali that: “The Mu’adhin has precedence in the Adhan, and the Imam has precedence in the Iqama.”

– Exemption for women: The Iqama is not obligatory for women; according to the majority of scholars, women are not required to give the Adhan or the Iqama.

– Not leaving the mosque after the Adhan and before the Iqama: This is based on the hadith of Abu Huraira (RA) who saw a man leaving the mosque after the Adhan and said: “This one has disobeyed Abu al-Qasim (the Prophet ﷺ).”

– Iqama is not given for Nafl prayers, the two Eids, Istisqa’ (prayer for rain), funeral prayers, or eclipses, except that for eclipse prayers it is said: “The prayer is congregational.”

– During heavy rain or cold: The Mu’adhin says after Hayya ‘ala al-falah: “Pray in your dwellings.”

– There is no fixed duration between the Adhan and the Iqama; it may be about a third of an hour, or less, or more. The guideline is that it should be sufficient for people to prepare themselves and gather for the prayer. It was narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said to Bilal:

 ‘O Bilal, when you give the Adhan, prolong it, and when you establish the Iqama, hasten it. Let the time between your Adhan and Iqama be enough for the eater to finish his meal, the drinker to finish his drink, and the one with a need to attend to it. Do not start until you see me’

– Friday prayer: Friday prayer is an obligatory prayer for men, so it has both Adhan and Iqama. It was the practice of the Rightly Guided Caliphs that Friday prayer has two Adhans: the first is the usual Adhan at the beginning of Dhuhr time, and the second is when the Imam ascends the pulpit (minbar) — this was the only practice during the Prophet’s lifetime. After the sermon, the Iqama is given.

The reason for two Adhans for Friday prayer is that the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Follow my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Caliphs.”

Uthman رضي الله عنه, as one of the Caliphs, added the first Adhan due to the increasing number of Muslims to alert more people. This practice was approved by the companions present during his caliphate and became an established Sunnah.

In other words: the first Adhan is what the noble Companions instituted, the second Adhan is the one given when the Imam ascends the minbar (which was during the Prophet’s lifetime) and then the Iqama follows.

Spiritual significance of Iqama in congregational prayers

Beyond its practical use, the meaning of iqama holds deep spiritual significance. Scholars say that Islamic rituals are meant to purify the heart and bring people together in harmony. The iqama:

Brings Muslims together: When worshippers hear the iqama, they stand in lines, close to each other, showing that everyone is equal and united.

Gets everyone ready for prayer: The iqama helps prepare for prayer by reminding people it’s time to pray.

Reminds people of responsibility: Saying “the prayer has been established” is a spiritual message that you can’t put off obeying Allah.

Shows harmony inside and out: The iqama matches how the body moves with how the heart is prepared.

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Conclusion

The iqama meaning  in Islam is more than just saying a few words before prayer. It marks the time when prayer actually begins, following the adhan. This shift from listening to the adhan to following the iqama shows a move from being aware to taking action.

Iqama meaning shows discipline, being ready, and showing love for religion. The words used in iqama have deep meaning, reminding people of Allah’s power, the message of the Prophet, and the importance of praying. So, iqama is both a legal and spiritual thing: legally, it tells people when prayer starts, and spiritually, it helps them prepare their hearts and minds to meet Allah in worship.

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FAQs

What is the iqama meaning in Islam?
It is  the short call that announces the immediate start of the prayer, distinguishing it from the Adhan, which simply announces the prayer time.

Is Iqama obligatory before every prayer?
The Iqama is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah. It is highly recommended for men,  though the communal aspect is emphasized for men in congregation.

Who should give the Iqama?
Ideally, the same person who called the Adhan should also give the Iqama. This is the Sunnah practice.

Can I pray without Iqama?
Yes, the prayer is valid without the Iqama, but Iqama is also recommended for the one praying alone as  it adds spiritual completeness and follows the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.