Hadith 870

It is narrated from Abu 'Umayr ibn Anas, from his uncles among the Ansar, that he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was concerned about how to gather people for prayer. It was suggested to him, "Raise a flag when it is time for prayer, and when people see it, they will inform each other." However, he did not like this idea. It was also suggested to use a horn (Shabur), but he did not like that either, saying, "That is from the practice of the Jews." Then it was suggested to use a bell, and he said, "That is from the practice of the Christians." Then 'Abdullah ibn Zayd left, deeply concerned about the matter that troubled the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). He was later shown the Adhan in his dream. He said: "I went to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) the next morning and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, while I was between sleep and wakefulness, someone came to me and showed me the Adhan.'" 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab had also seen it before but had kept it to himself for twenty days. He then informed the Prophet (peace be upon him), who asked, "What prevented you from telling me?" 'Umar replied, "Abdullah ibn Zayd preceded me, and I felt embarrassed." The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "O Bilal, stand up and see what Abdullah ibn Zayd instructs you to do, and then do it." Bilal then called the Adhan. Abu Bishr, the narrator, said: "Abu 'Umayr informed me that the Ansar believed that if Abdullah ibn Zayd had not been ill that day, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would have appointed him as the Mu'adhdhin (caller to prayer)."