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Hayya ‘Ala Khayri Al-‘Amal

Hayya ‘Ala Khayri Al-‘Amal (Hasten To The Best Of Deeds)

This phrase was first introduced into the adhan by the Prophet (S) at Ghadir Khumm. Ghadir Khumm is a place outside of Makkah where the Prophet (S) told everybody to stop after returning from Hajj during the last year of his life. When they stopped, he called all the Muslims together and ordered Bilal (ra) to call the adhan. When Bilal reached “hayya ‘alal falah” the Prophet (S) stopped him and said to repeat “hayya ‘ala khayri al-’amal” two times. This phrase means: Make haste towards the best of deeds.1 The deed he was speaking of holds great importance and upon completing it the religion was perfected.2 This deed was the appointment of ‘Ali (‘a) as his successor.

After the Prophet’s (S) martyrdom, Abu Bakr seized power while leaving the Prophet (S) unburied for three days, in spite of the Prophet’s (S) appointment of ‘Ali as the khalif (successor)! Abu Bakr and Umar conspired while the Ahl Al-Bayt(‘a) were preparing the funeral rites. This is where the split came about in the community. Some sided with ‘Ali (‘a) following the Prophet’s (S) instructions. These people were (and are) called the Shi’a (“Shi’a” meaning follower, and the term here specifically referring to “followers of ‘Ali”). Some sided with the usurper of khalifat Abu Bakr.3 These followers of Abu Bakr and ‘Umar are called the Sunni sect.

Bilal (ra) sided with ‘Ali (‘a) and thus as a form of protest quit calling the adhan to show people how serious this was! Abu Bakr got very angry and upset with Bilal (ra) and exiled him to Syria. He later died and was buried there. He was replaced by someone else and that person was told not to recite the phrase Hayya ‘ala khayri al-’amal. The unjust rulers were afraid that if it were recited the people would remember the rightful claim of ‘Ali (‘a) and realize the falsity of Abu Bakr’s rule.4

As followers of the Prophet (S) we acknowledge ‘Ali’s (‘a) right and recognize him as the first Imam. Knowing this, we call the adhan with the phrase Hayya ‘ala khayri al-’amal as the Prophet (S) ordered it. This separates the followers of truth from the followers of falsehood.

  • 1. Know Your Islam by Yousef Naljee.
  • 2. In reference of Qur’an, 5:3.
  • 3. Those who didn’t side with Abu Bakr found life very difficult. Please refer to my first book entitled The Suffering of the Ahl Al-Bayt and their Shi’a throughout History.
  • 4. Bilal of Africa by Hussain Malika Ashtiyani.