Once `Umar bin `Abdul `Aziz delayed the prayer and `Urwa bin Az-Zubair went to him and said, "Once in 'Iraq, Al-Mughira bin Shu`ba delayed his prayers and Abi Mas`ud Al-Ansari went to him and said, 'O Mughira! What is this? Don't you know that once Gabriel came and offered the prayer (Fajr prayer) and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) prayed too, then he prayed again (Zuhr prayer) and so did Allah's Apostle and again he prayed (`Asr prayers and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) did the same; again he prayed (Maghrib-prayer) and so did Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and again prayed (`Isha prayer) and so did Allah's Apostle and (Gabriel) said, 'I was ordered to do so (to demonstrate the prayers prescribed to you)?'" `Umar (bin `Abdul `Aziz) said to `Urwa, "Be sure of what you Say. Did Gabriel lead Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) at the stated times of the prayers?" `Urwa replied, "Bashir bin Abi Mas`ud narrated like this on the authority of his father." `Urwa added, "Aisha told me that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to pray `Asr prayer when the sunshine was still inside her residence (during the early time of `Asr).
Times of the Prayers - Sahih al-Bukhari 521, 522
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari establishes the divinely ordained times of the five daily prayers through the incident of Gabriel's demonstration to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The angel Gabriel led the prayer at the beginning of each prayer time on the first day and at the end of each prayer time on the second day, thereby delineating both the earliest and latest permissible times for each salat.
Scholarly Commentary on Prayer Times
The incident with Al-Mughira bin Shu'ba demonstrates the importance of praying at the proper times. When a ruler delays prayers beyond their prescribed times, it becomes obligatory upon the scholars to advise him, as Abi Mas'ud did with Al-Mughira and Urwa did with Umar bin Abdul Aziz.
Umar bin Abdul Aziz's questioning of Urwa reflects the scholarly diligence required in verifying religious matters, especially those pertaining to worship. His caution emphasizes the need for certainty when transmitting matters of religion.
The final statement from Aisha regarding the Asr prayer being offered while sunlight was still in her residence indicates the preference for praying Asr in its early time, during the period when the shadow of an object is equal to its length, which is the prime time for Asr prayer according to the majority of scholars.
Legal Rulings Derived
Each prayer has a specific time period during which it must be performed, with both beginning and ending points established through prophetic tradition.
It is recommended to offer prayers at their earliest permissible times, though performing them anytime within their prescribed period is valid.
Scholars and knowledgeable Muslims have a responsibility to correct rulers and authorities when they err in matters of religion, particularly regarding the established acts of worship.