The Muslims used to pray without any adhan (call to prayer) from the time when the prayer was enjoined in Makkah during the Mi‘raj (Prophet’s ascent to heaven), and the matter remained like that until they migrated to Madinah, and until they discussed this matter and the adhan was prescribed, as mentioned in this hadith. Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that when the numbers of Muslims increased, which happened after they migrated to Madinah, as is stated in sahih reports, they began to discuss how they could know that the time for prayer had come by means of a signal that they could recognize. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) began to consult them and listen to their views, and see how they could work out the best method, based on the general principles of Islam. Some of them suggested using a fire as the Magians, who were fire worshippers, did. Others suggested striking a clapper (naqus), which is like the bells that are found in the churches of the Christians. And some of them suggested – as is mentioned in a report in al-Sahihayn from Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) – that they should use a trumpet like that of the Jews, which they blow into and it makes a sound; those trumpets were made from the horns of animals. Then the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) instructed Bilal ibn Rabah (may Allah be pleased with him) to say the phrases of the adhan twice, saying them two by two, except for the word of Tawhid (La ilaha illa Allah) at the end, which is said only once, and except for the takbir (Allahu akbar) at the beginning, which is repeated four times. And he instructed him to say the phrases of the iqamah once, except for the takbir at the beginning and end, and the phrase “Qad qamat il-salah (prayer is about to begin)”; these phrases are said twice. In other hadiths it is narrated that the words of the adhan came to ‘Abdullah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) in a dream), and he told the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) about that, then the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) instructed Bilal to get up and proclaim these phrases that had come to ‘Abdullah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) in a dream; these are the phrases of the adhan which are still proclaimed today..