Short answer
It is sunnah, not required. In the Hanafi school a man praying alone at home in a town where the masjid calls the adhan is covered by that adhan, so he may leave it, though saying the iqamah is better. In open country, on a journey, or where no adhan is heard, say both. Women do not say the adhan or iqamah.
The adhan and iqamah are sunnah mu'akkadah for the fard prayers. A man praying at home in a town is covered by the local masjid's adhan and iqamah, though saying them is better. A traveller should say both; leaving both is makruh for him, while leaving only the adhan is fine. They are not prescribed for women.
Other madhhabs
- Hanbali
- The adhan is a communal obligation on the men of a town, and sunnah for someone praying alone.
- Shafi'i
- Sunnah for someone praying alone too, and a woman may say the iqamah quietly.
Explanation
The Prophet ﷺ said Allah is pleased with a shepherd on a mountain peak who calls the adhan and prays alone. He also told a companion who lived with his flock in the desert to raise his voice with the adhan, because everything that hears it will testify for him. So the adhan is not only for gathering people; it is worship in its own right.
Hanafi scholars say the adhan of the town's masjid counts for everyone in that town. So if you pray at home where a masjid calls the adhan, you may leave it, though saying the iqamah, or both, is better. Many Muslims in the West live where no adhan is heard at all; there, saying at least the iqamah before each fard, and the adhan as well, is the sunnah.
- Travelling, camping or hiking: say the adhan and iqamah; leaving both is disliked.
- Volume: loud enough for yourself and those with you; there is no need to disturb neighbours.
- Qada prayers at home: no need to call them aloud; it is better to keep missed prayers private.
- Women: in the Hanafi school women do not say the adhan or iqamah, alone or in a group.
The words are on the adhan in English, with the du'a after the adhan. For answering it, see praying during the adhan.
The evidence
Sunan Abi Dawud 1203
Grading to be checked... يعجب ربك من راعي غنم في رأس شظية بجبل يؤذن بالصلاة ويصلي ...
"Your Lord is pleased with a shepherd on a mountain peak who calls the adhan for prayer and prays."
The adhan is rewarded even for someone alone.
Sahih al-Bukhari 609
Sahih... إذا كنت في غنمك أو باديتك فأذنت بالصلاة فارفع صوتك بالنداء ...
"When you are with your sheep or in your desert and call the adhan, raise your voice with the call."
Someone praying alone in open country should call the adhan.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Salah, chapter on the adhan. The adhan and iqamah are sunnah for the fard prayers; one praying at home in a town is covered by its adhan; a traveller should not leave both.
- Nur al-Idah with Maraqi al-Falah, Chapter on the adhan. The adhan and iqamah are not prescribed for women.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.