What is "iqama"

n. (context Islam English) The call to prayer made immediately before Muslims pray.

The word iqama or ikamet refers to the second call to Islamic Prayer, given immediately before the prayer begins. Generally, the iqamah is given more quickly and in a more monotonous fashion, compared to the adhan, as it is addressed to those already in the mosque rather than a reminder for those outside it to go to the mosque. Aside from a difference in the number of times each line is said, the iqama differs from the first call to prayer, the adhan in only one place (line 6, below):

Recital

Arabic

Transliteration

Translation

1x

الله أكبر الله أكبر

allāhu ʾakbar, allāhu ʾakbar

Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest,

1x

أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله

ashhadu ʾan lā ilāha ʾillā-llāh

I assert that there is no god but Allah

1x

أشهد أن محمدًا رسول الله

ashhadu ʾanna muḥammadan rasūlu-llāh

I assert that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

1x

حي على الصلاة

ḥayya ʿala -ṣ-ṣalāh

Hasten to prayer

1x

حي على الفلاح

ḥayya ʿala -l-falāḥ

Hasten to success,

2x

قد قامت الصلاة

qad qāmat aṣ-ṣalāh

Prayer has started,

1x

الله أكبر الله أكبر

allāhu ʾakbar, allāhu ʾakbar

Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest,

1x

لا إله إلا الله

lā ʾilāha ʾillā-llāh

There is no god but Allah