We have an imam in the village who plays a Qur'an recording and gives the adhan according to the prayer time on the recorder, and then turns off the recorder and gives the iqamah. Is this correct?

The questioner : We have an imam in the village who plays a Qur'an recording and gives the adhan according to the prayer time on the recorder, and then turns off the recorder and gives the iqamah. Is this correct?

The Shaykh : This is not correct; I mean the adhan from a recorder, and it is not permissible to rely on it, because the sound of the recorder is not the voice of a mu'adhdhin who is directly performing the adhan, but rather a recording of a mu'adhdhin's voice, who may have died. The adhan is a worship intended for its own sake, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: meaning that if they did not find a way to reach it except by drawing lots, they would draw lots for it. This indicates the virtue of the adhan and that hearing it from a recorder makes no difference from saying, "The time for prayer has arrived," because the adhan that is the object of worship has not been performed in this place. Therefore, we say that this practice is not valid and does not clear one's conscience regarding the performance of the prescribed adhan. Glory be to Allah, that Satan plays with the minds of the sons of Adam. Otherwise, what is the difference between bringing a recorder, plugging it in, and turning it on, or a Muslim man standing up and giving the adhan? What difference is there? The adhan is valid even from one who has not reached puberty, but weakness and Satan play with the sons of Adam. We ask Allah for safety and well-being.