Until this time, the prevailing practice was that whenever the time for salaah would set in, then people would come to the musjid and perform salaah (in different jamaats) at their own times. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) felt that there should be some method of calling people for the congregational salaah through which all the people of the locality would be able to easily assemble in the musjid at the same time.

Someone suggested striking a naaqoos (two wooden sticks struck together creating a sound like a bell), while another person suggested blowing a booq (horn) so that on hearing these sounds, the people could congregate in the musjid for salaah. However, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) rejected using the naaqoos as this resembled the way of the Christians, and he similarly rejected the use of the booq as this resembled the way of the Jews (who were using these instruments to call people to their places of prayer at that time).

In essence, on account of these two methods resembling the ways of the Jews and Christians, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) disapproved of them.

Another person suggested lighting a fire at an elevated spot to call people for salaah. On seeing the fire, the people would know that it is the time for salaah, and thereafter, they will assemble for salaah. To this, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “This method is the method of the Fire Worshippers (who are calling people to their prayer through this method),” and due to it resembling the way of the Fire Worshippers, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) disapproved of this method as well.

Nevertheless, the assembly thereafter dispersed without Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) arriving at any decision.

(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/ 441-442)