Sonu Nigam's Twitter rant: Ever wondered what's the meaning of Azaan?

The Azaan is the Islamic call to worship, recited at prescribed times of the day in Arabic. Photo: AFP (Representational)

NEW DELHI: Renowned singer Sonu Nigam has lashed out at "forced religiousness" in India after being woken up by the Azaan (Islamic call to prayer) from a nearby mosque. "God bless everyone. I'm not a Muslim and I have to be woken up by the azaan in the morning. When will this forced religiousness end in India," Nigam tweeted. Nigam wrote: "And by the way Mohammed did not have electricity when he made Islam.. Why do I have to have this cacophony after Edison? "I don't believe in any temple or gurudwara using electricity To wake up people who don't follow the religion. Why then..? Honest? True? Gundagardi hai bus." What is Azaan or Adhan: The Azaan is the Islamic call to worship, recited at prescribed times of the day in Arabic. A person who calls people for the congregational prayer is called a Muazzin It's is called out by a muazzin from the mosque five times a day summoning Muslims for mandatory prayers. What's the meaning of Azaan: Allahu Akbar (God is great), Allahu Akbar (God great), Allahu Akbar (God great), Allahu Akbar (God is great), Ash-hadu an-laa ilaaha il-lal-lah (I witness that none deserves worship except God). Ash-hadu an-laa ilaaha il-lal-lah (I witness that none deserves worship except God). Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasool-ullah (I witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God). Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasool-ullah (I witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God). Hayya ‘alas-Salah (Come to prayer) Hayya ‘alas-Salah (Come to prayer) Hayya ‘alal-Falah (Come to success) Hayya ‘alal-Falah (Come to success) As-salatu Khayrun Minan-nawm (Prayer is better than sleep) **This phrase is included only during morning Azaan** Allahu Akbar (God is great) Allahu Akbar (God is great) La ilaaha il-lal-lah (None deserves worship except God).