Hayya ala Khayr al-Amal (Come to the Best of Deeds)

"Hayya ala Khayr al-Amal" (Arabic: حي على خير العمل) means "Come to the best of deeds" and is a phrase recited in the Shia adhan (call to prayer) and iqamah. This phrase comes after "Hayya alas-salah" (Come to prayer) and "Hayya alal-falah" (Come to success) and emphasizes that prayer is the best of all deeds.

According to Shia historical and hadith sources, this phrase was part of the original adhan during the Prophet's time. Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him) said: "The adhan has always contained 'Hayya ala Khayr al-Amal' — it was removed after the Prophet's passing" (Wasail al-Shia by al-Hurr al-Amili, vol. 5). Shia scholars argue that Caliph Umar removed this phrase out of concern that people would prioritize prayer over jihad, replacing it with "al-salatu khayrun min an-nawm" (prayer is better than sleep) in the Fajr adhan.

This view is supported by several early Sunni sources. Al-Bayhaqi in his Sunan al-Kubra mentions that Abdullah ibn Umar and Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) both recited "Hayya ala Khayr al-Amal" in the adhan. Malik ibn Anas, founder of the Maliki school, also confirmed that this phrase was part of the early adhan practice in Medina.

Today, "Hayya ala Khayr al-Amal" is a hallmark of the Shia adhan and is recited twice after "Hayya alal-falah". For Shia Muslims, this is an important part of their identity and a preservation of the original prophetic adhan. The phrase reminds the believer that prayer — not any worldly action — is the most meritorious deed in Allah's sight.