Riyad as-Salihin, 1033

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Were people to know the blessing of pronouncing Adhan and the standing in the first row, they would even draw lots to secure these privileges. And were they to realize the reward of performing Salat early, they would race for it; and were they to know the merits of Salat after nightfall ('Isha') and the dawn (Fajr) Salat, they would come to them even if they had to crawl." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

- عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏

‏لو يعلم الناس ما في النداء والصف الأول ثم لم يجدوا إلا أن يستهموا عليه لاستهموا عليه، ولو يعلمون ما في التهجير لاستبقوا إليه، ولو يعلمون ما في العتمة والصبح لأتوهما ولو حبوا‏

‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ ‏والاستهام‏:‏ الاقتراع‏.‏ والتهجير‏:‏ التبكير إلى الصلاة

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Book 8, Hadith 43

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 1) It shows the merit of Adhān, which is one of the best acts given the general interest it serves: It extols Allah Almighty by declaring His oneness and calls people to the greatest act of worship. 2) Announcing the Adhān is better than leading people in prayer. This, the scholars said, stems from the fact that the Adhān comprises proclamation of the oneness of Allah and the testimony that Muhammad is His Messenger. This highlight the great significance of the call to Tawhid (monotheism) and Ittibā‘ (following the Sunnah of the Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). 3) It encourages the believers to compete with one another over acts of worship and piety. A believer should seize the opportunities of goodness and worship, one of which is keenness to proclaim the Adhān.

Related hadiths5