Chapter: The Adhan

• I asked Ahmad about the mu'adhdhin who calls the adhan while he is not in a state of wudu'? He said: "It is sufficient, but it is more beloved to me that he does not call the adhan unless he is pure (tahir). As for the iqamah, he should not perform it unless he is pure."

• And I heard Ishaq say: "The adhan and the iqamah in a state of purity are desirable. This is because of what 'Ata' said: 'It is a right and an established sunnah that a mu'adhdhin should not call the adhan unless he is in a state of wudu'. It was also mentioned that Abu Hurayrah held this view."

452 - Ishaq narrated to us, saying: Al-Walid ibn Muslim narrated to us, from al-Awza'i, from al-Zuhri, who said: Abu Hurayrah - may Allah be pleased with him - said: "Do not call for the prayer unless you are in a state of wudu'."

• And I also heard Ishaq say: "As for the iqamah, it is more fitting that no one performs it unless he is in a state of wudu', because it has been said in more than one narration: 'The iqamah is the key to the prayer; so whoever says otherwise, he has erred.'"

453 - Ibn Abi Hazm al-Qut'i narrated to us, saying: Muhammad ibn Bakr narrated to us, saying: Ibn Jurayj informed us, saying: 'Ata' said: "It is a right and a sunnah that a mu'adhdhin should not call the adhan unless he is in a state of wudu'." He said: "It is part of the prayer, so he should not call the adhan unless he is in a state of wudu'."

Chapter: The Junub (one in a state of major ritual impurity) calling the Adhan

• I said to Ahmad ibn Hanbal: "So, may the junub call the adhan?" He said: "No."