Q: What is the ruling if the Mu'adhin (caller to Prayer) says: "Hayya `ala Khayr Al-`Amal (come to the best of actions)"?

A: Adhan (call to Prayer) is an act of worship and all acts of worship are Tawqifiy (bound by a religious text and not amenable to personal opinion). It cannot be said that this act is permissible except with proof from the Qur'an, Sunnah or Ijma` (consensus). On the other hand, saying that an act of worship is permissible without legal proof, is ignorantly telling lies against Allah. Allah (Exalted be He) says: Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "(But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are Al-Fawâhish (great evil sins and every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in worship) with Allâh for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allâh of which you have no knowledge." (Part No. 6; Page No. 95) He also says: And follow not (O man i.e., say not, or do not or witness not) that of which you have no knowledge. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Anyone who introduces anything into this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it will have it rejected. According to another narration: Anyone who does an action which is not in accordance with this matter of ours (Islam) will have it rejected. Therefore, the legal Adhan reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is fifteen phrases as follows: Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest), Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest), Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest), Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest). Ash-hadu Alla Ilaha Illa Allah (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah), Ash-hadu Alla Ilaha Illa Allah (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah). Ash-hadu Anna Muhammadan Rasul Allah (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah), Ash-hadu Anna Muhammadan Rasul Allah (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah). Hayya `Ala Al-Salah (Come to prayer), Hayya `Ala Al-Salah (Come to prayer). Hayyah `Ala Al-Falah (Come to success), Hayyah `Ala Al-Falah (Come to success). Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest), Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest). La Ilaha Illa Allah (There is no god but Allah). This is the Adhan which the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) commanded Bilal to announce as reported by the compilers of Sunan and Masanid (books of Hadiths) Books excluding the Adhan for Fajr (Dawn) Prayer. It is reported that the Mu'adhin of the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to add after saying Hayyah `Ala Al-Falah (come to prayer) the following phrase: As-Salatu Khayrun Mina Al-Nawm (Performing Salah is better than sleep). The four Imams (i.e. Abu Hanifah, Malik, Al-Shafi`y, and Ahmad) agreed that this phrase is part of the legal Adhan because of the Messenger's approval of saying it by Bilal indicates the permissibility of uttering it. As for the Mu`adhin's saying in the Fajr (Dawn) Prayer: Hayyah `Ala Khayr Al-`Amal (Come to the best of actions), it is not reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) nor acted upon by Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah (adherents to the Sunnah and the Muslim mainstream). (Part No. 6; Page No. 96) It is in fact an act of Bid`ah (innovation in religion) originated by Al-Rafidah. So, whoever does it, will be rebuked by the minimum degree to prevent him from making such addition to Adhan.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.