May Adhan Be Recited Via Playing Cd, Cassette, etc. İn Order To Announce Prayer Time?

May adhan be recited via playing CD, cassette, etc. in order to announce prayer time?

As it is known, “adhan” is the special expressions recited for fardh prayers. Adhan both announces that the prayer time has started and prayer will be established in congregation and declares the uniqueness and greatness of Allah, the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (saw), and the fact that salah leads to salvation. As adhan is the announcement of prayer times, there is no difference between making this announcement with or without a loudspeaker on condition that its certain structures are preserved and presented.

Nevertheless, retitation of the Qur’an via playing cassette or CD means to simplify the adhan which is one of the signs of Islam, and to fail to show it due respect. Moreover, its recitation via a recording does not comply with the custom that has been transmitted until today since the period of Prophet Muhammad (saw). For this reason, we cannot say that it is permissible to recite the adhan via CD or cassette. The approach of fuqaha which states that audio replication of the Qur’an cannot be deemed the same with the Qur’an supports this judgement as well (Maydani, al-Lubab, I, 60). On the other hand, adhan is a sunnah. Performance of a sunnah by a legally competent and responsible believer is the supplementary element of the sunnah.

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWAS