Use Alexa for automated Call to Prayer (Athan) 5 times a day

Have you ever wondered if you could use Alexa to play Athan automatically at Prayer Times?

I spent hours trying to do this with Alexa Skills eventually to find that they have a limitation which does not allow developers to build this functionality.

I finally managed to find a way for free using IFTT and Voice Monkey. All you need is to link your Alexa account with these services and create an Applet to trigger the routine.

The steps that I followed are mentioned below. Hope these are helpful to you as well:

On the Alexa app (Phone)

1. Unlock your phone and on the the Alexa app Browse to More > Skills & Games

2. Install the following skills:

1. Prayer Time

2. Voice Monkey — Routine Triggers & Text to Speech

On Voice Monkey

3. On your PC browser, browse to https://app.voicemonkey.io/ and login using your Amazon account. This account should be the same account where your Alexa is registered

4. If asked, allow access to your Amazon Skills account

5. Once you are Logged in, Add a New Monkey

6. Name the Monkey as PrayerTime

On IFTTT

7. On your browser open a new tab and, browse to https://ifttt.com/explore

8. Sign up for a new account

9. Once your are logged in, on the top right panel, click on Create

10. Under the If This Section, Click on Add

11. Search for Muslim Prayer Time

12. Click on Prayer Time

13. If it asks, login to your Amazon account to Connect the skill to Muslim Prayer Time

14. Under the Applet settings, configure as per your preference, update the location for which you would like the prayer times

15. Once you are finished, Click on Create Trigger to complete the configuration on IFTT

16. Verify that your Applet shows as Connected

On the Alexa app (Phone)

17. Follow the below steps on your Alexa App on the phone to Create a new Routine

18. Your Routine should now be ready to trigger at prayer time

Testing

1. To test the Athan, from your browser Log in to https://app.voicemonkey.io/monkeys
2. Click on Trigger and it should play an Athan on your Alexa

I hope this was helpful. Happy Praying!