He who said prayer before the rising of the sun and its setting would not enter the fire (of Hell), and there was a man from Basra (sitting) beside him who said: Did you hear it from the Messenger of Allah (way peace be upon him)? He said: Yes, I bear witness to it. The man from Basra said: I bear witness that I did hear from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying it from the place that you heard from him.
The Book of Mosques and Places of Prayer - Sahih Muslim 634 b
He who said prayer before the rising of the sun and its setting would not enter the fire (of Hell), and there was a man from Basra (sitting) beside him who said: Did you hear it from the Messenger of Allah (way peace be upon him)? He said: Yes, I bear witness to it. The man from Basra said: I bear witness that I did hear from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying it from the place that you heard from him.
Commentary on the Hadith
This noble hadith establishes the immense virtue and protection granted to those who consistently perform the Fajr (dawn) and 'Asr (afternoon) prayers. The "prayer before the rising of the sun" refers to the Fajr prayer, and "before its setting" refers to the 'Asr prayer. Their performance is a safeguard from entering the Fire of Hell, a promise indicating their profound status.
The exchange between the two companions is a remarkable display of the meticulousness of the early Muslim community in verifying Prophetic traditions. The man from Basra did not merely accept the statement but sought its chain of transmission directly from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Upon confirmation, he himself bore witness, reinforcing the authenticity of the report. This incident exemplifies the rigorous standards of hadith science.
Scholars explain that this great reward is for the one who preserves these two prayers at their appointed times, with their pillars and conditions fulfilled. They are among the most emphasized prayers due to the spiritual challenges at these times—Fajr requires rising from deep sleep, and 'Asr occurs during the busiest part of the day. Successfully guarding them is a sign of strong faith and discipline, worthy of this divine protection.
Juridical Rulings and Spiritual Insights
This hadith underscores the obligation of performing all five daily prayers, with a specific emphasis on Fajr and 'Asr. Neglecting them is a grave matter that strips a believer of this specific protection.
The spiritual insight is that these two prayers act as anchors for the day and the night. Fajr begins one's day with the remembrance of Allah, setting a righteous tone, while 'Asr concludes the day's primary activities with a return to the Creator. Together, they fortify the heart against heedlessness and sin.
Imam al-Nawawi, in his commentary on Sahih Muslim, states that the intended meaning is that the one who consistently performs these prayers, fulfilling their obligations, will be saved from eternal damnation in Hellfire. It is a motivation for believers to be particularly vigilant about these two prayers amidst life's distractions.