QSI: The History and Significance of the Adhan

According to the hadeeth of ‘Abd-Allah ibn Zayd ibn Abd Rabbihi, when the Messenger of Allah decided to use a bell even though he disliked it because it was like what the Christians used, ‘there appeared to me in a dream a man who was wearing two green garments, in whose hand was a bell. I said, “O slave of Allah, will you sell that bell?” he said, “What will you do with it?” I said, “We will call the people to prayer with it.” He said, “Shall I not show you something better than that?” I said, “Yes.” He said, (Arabic transliteration of the adhan is as follows)

Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!
Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah. Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah.
Ashadu anna Muhammadan Rasool Allah. Ashadu anna Muhammadan Rasool Allah.
Hayya 'ala-s-Salah. Hayya 'ala-s-Salah.
Hayya 'ala-l-Falah. Hayya 'ala-l-Falah.
Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!
La ilaha illa Allah.

When morning came, I went to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and told him what I had seen. He said, “This is a true dream, insha’Allah. Get up with Bilal and tell him what you have seen, so that he can give the call, because he has a more beautiful voice than you.” So, I got up with Bilal and started telling him what I had seen, and he gave the call to prayer. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab heard that whilst he was in his house, and he came out, dragging his cloak behind him, saying, 'Umar was one of the persons who came and said, "O Messenger of Allah an angel taught me the same words in my dream last night." The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “All praise is due to Allah” 

(Narrated by Ahmad, 1588; al-Tirmidhi, 174; Abu Dawood, 421, 430; Ibn Maajah, 698).