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Text and translation
English translation
707. It was narrated from Sâlim, from his father, that the Prophet ﷺ consulted the people as to how he could call them to the prayer. They suggested a horn, but he disliked that because of the Jews
(because the Jews used a horn). Then they suggested a bell but he disliked that because of the Christians (because the Christians used a bell). Then that night the call to the prayer was shown in a dream to a man from among the Ansâr whose name was 'Abdullâh bin Zaid, and to 'Umar bin Khattâb. The Ansâri man came to the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ at night, and the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ commanded Bilâl to give the call to the prayer. (Da'if)
Zuhri said: "Bilâl added the phrase "As-salâtu khairum minan-nawm (the prayer is better than sleep)" to the call for the morning prayer, and the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ approved of that." 'Umar said: "O Messenger of Allâh, I saw the same as he did, but he beat me to it."
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Commentary
It was an accepted principle with the Companions that copying the Jews and Christians was not a desirable act.
The addition of the sentence meaning: "The prayer is better than sleep" to the Fajr prayer was also made with the approval of the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ. As such it is also a part of his Sunnah.
