the Imams, and forgive the mu'adhdhins." Reported by Abu Dawud and al-Nasa'i (38). Stewardship is higher than guarantee, and forgiveness is higher than guidance. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not take charge of it, nor did his successors, due to their time being occupied with other matters. This is why Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Were it not for the Caliphate, I would have called the Adhan." This is the choice of the Qadi, Ibn Abi Musa, and a group of our companions (39). And Allah knows best.

Section: The basis for the Adhan is what Muhammad ibn Ishaq narrated, saying (40): Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn al-Harith al-Taymi narrated to me, from Muhammad ibn Abd Allah ibn Zayd ibn Abd Rabbihi, who said: My father, Abd Allah ibn Zayd, narrated to me, saying: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) commanded that a bell be made to be struck to gather people for prayer. While I was asleep, a man carrying a bell in his hand circled around me. I said: "O servant of Allah, will you sell the bell?" He said: "What will you do with it?" I said: "We will use it to call to prayer." He said: "Shall I not guide you to something better than that?" I said to him (41): "Yes." He said: "You say: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar; I testify that there is no god but Allah, I testify that there is no god but Allah; I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; Hayya 'ala al-salah, Hayya 'ala al-salah; Hayya 'ala al-falah, Hayya 'ala al-falah; Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar; la ilaha illa Allah." He said: Then he moved back a little, and said: "When you perform the iqamah for the prayer, you say: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar; I testify that there is no god but Allah; I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; Hayya 'ala al-salah; Hayya 'ala al-falah; Qad qamat al-salah, Qad qamat al-salah; Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar; la ilaha illa Allah." When morning came, I went to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and informed him of what I had seen. He said: "It is a true vision, if Allah wills. So stand with Bilal, and dictate to him what you saw, for he should call the Adhan with it,"