While studying Fiqh under the guidance of Shaykh Amir Saeed (may Allah preserve him), we came across the topics of Adhaan and Salat. We learned two very interesting concepts in these topics.

1) There are two occasions recorded in the sunnah when Jibril (AS) led the Prophet (PBUH) in Dhuhr and Asr prayers. Although these traditions were used to support the difference in opinion on Asr timings, my thoughts were elsewhere. More on this in a minute.

2) The sahabah had recognized a problem in gathering everyone for prayers, so the concept of Adhaan was introduced to the sahabah through their dreams.

These two topics made me ask myself the most obvious questions. Why didn’t Allah (SWT) reveal a verse about the specific timings for each prayer and why wasn’t the concept of Adhaan introduced through a revelation?

DISCLAIMER: The following thoughts are from me and therefore should be read and accepted with caution.

Status of Allah (SWT)

To me, these two topics brought out and shined light upon the greatness in the status of Allah (SWT). I feel that these rulings were not directly revealed by Allah (SWT) because as The King of the Kings, it is not worthy of His status to go into such details regarding the religion. Let me use an analogy. Let’s say that you were invited to the White House for a dinner by President Obama. He will directly invite you but it is not his job to inform you of when to arrive, what not to bring with you, how to arrange transportation or where to park, etc. Those jobs are allotted to his secretaries and assistants. Similarly, Allah (SWT), who holds infinitely more power than Obama, simply commanded us to pray. He mentions in (4:103):

For such prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times.

This verse is informing the believers that prayers have to be established on certain times. He sent us His and our beloved Prophet (PBUH) to further explain and teach types of prayers, components of prayer, timings of prayers, etc. Therefore, in order to inform the Prophet (PBUH) of the timings of Asr, He sent His most respectable angel Jibril (AS) and did not send a revelation.

Status of the Prophet (PBUH)

Similarly, we also have to be cognizant of the status of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It was his duty to emphasize the importance of prayer, inform the believers on different aspects of prayer, and their timings but it doesn’t suit his status that he makes arrangement for people to be able to pray together on time. Therefore, he (PBUH) didn’t introduce the Adhaan, his companions did. We also have to take into consideration that gathering people together for prayer was a community affair and was also solved by the community.

What’s YOUR Status?

My point in discussing this is for us to be cognizant of the statuses of Allah (SWT) and His Messenger (PBUH). Often times people will ask silly questions such as “If music is haram, why doesn’t it say that in the Quran?” etc. It goes against the Supreme status of Allah (SWT) to be discussing minor, unimportant issues. Similarly, the Prophet (PBUH) also did not explain every little detail in the religion for wise reasons.

Instead of asking the above question, we should make an effort to realize that topics such as music are nothing compared to the true messages of the Quran that are aimed to guide us so we can realize our status as well. Instead of gaining more knowledge and awareness into our status, we spend our energy and time arguing about petty topics, such as music.

Allama Iqbal has said some of the best lines out there regarding our status in this day and age:

Your sofas are from Europe, your carpets from Iran;

This slothful opulence evokes my sigh of pity.

In vain if you possess Khusroe’s imperial pomp,

If you do not possess prowess or contentment.

Seek not thy joy or greatness in the glitter of Western life,

For in contentment lies a Muslim’s joy and greatness.

When an eagle’s spirit awakens in youthful hearts,

It sees its luminous goal beyond the starry heavens.

Despair not, for despair is the decline of knowledge and gnosis:

The Hope of a Believer is among the confidants of God.

Thy abode is not on the dome of a royal palace;

You are an eagle and should live on the rocks of mountains.

Allah (SWT) knows best…