Prayer: Is Group Adhān in Public Places Considered an Innovation in Islam?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Prayer: Is Group Adhān in Public Places Considered an Innovation in Islam?

English:

Question #449:

Some individuals have started, with the aim of announcing prayer time arrival, to say adhān in groups in public places. All praise be to Allah! This activity has had a great effect in preventing overt corruption in the area and in encouraging people, especially the youth, towards the timely performance of prayers. However, someone has stated that this action is not specifically mentioned in the sources of Islamic law, and therefore it is an innovation. This statement has caused some doubt. What is your esteemed opinion?

Answer #449:

Reciting adhān (declaring the beginning of the time of prayer) at the beginning of the times of daily obligatory prayers and its repetition by the listeners are among the most highly mustaḥabb actions in the viewpoint of shar‘. There is no problem in saying the adhān in a group form around public places as long as it does not lead to obstruction of the way or harassment of others.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Prayer