Iqamah (Second Call to Prayer)
The second call to prayer, recited just before the prayer begins.
Iqamah (Arabic: إقامة) is the second call to prayer, recited immediately before the obligatory prayer begins. While the adhan announces that the prayer time has arrived, the iqamah signals that the prayer is now starting.
The iqamah is similar in wording to the adhan, but is recited more quickly and with the addition of "Qad qamatis-salah" (The prayer has begun). In most schools of law, each phrase is said only once (unlike the adhan, where some phrases are repeated).
It is recommended to have a short pause between the adhan and iqamah, so people can prepare for prayer with wudu and come to the mosque. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Between the adhan and iqamah there is a prayer" — this refers to sunnah prayers that are performed between the two calls.
Related terms
Qasr (Shortened Prayer)
The permission to shorten the four-rak'ah prayers to two rak'ah during travel.
Bismillah (In the Name of Allah)
The formula "In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful," which opens prayer and action.
Tashahhud (Testimony of Faith in Prayer)
The testimony of faith recited in the sitting position during prayer.
Jannah (Paradise)
The eternal paradise, the reward for faith and good deeds.
Sahih al-Bukhari (Bukhari's Authentic Collection)
The most authoritative hadith collection in Sunni Islam, compiled by Imam al-Bukhari.
Muharram (The Sacred Month)
The first and one of the four sacred months in the Islamic calendar.