"A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) asking him about the times of prayer, and he did not answer him. He told Bilal to say the Iqamah at dawn broke, then he told him to say the Iqamah for Zuhr when the sun had passed its zenith and a person would say: 'It is the middle of the day,' but he (the Prophet (ﷺ)) knew better. Then he told him to say the Iqamah for 'Asr when the sun was still high. Then he told him to say the Iqamah for Maghrib when the sun had set. Then he told him to say the Iqamah for 'Isha' when the twilight had dissapeared. Then the next day he told him to say the Iqamah for Fajr, at a time such that when after he had finished one would say: 'The sun has risen.' Then he delayed Zuhr until it was nearly the time of 'Asr compared to the day before. Then he delayed 'Asr, to a time such that when he finished one would say: 'The su has turned red.' Then he delayed Maghrib until the twilight was about to disappear. Then he delayed 'Isha' until one-third of the night had passed. Then he said: 'The time (for prayer) is between these times.'"
Hadith Commentary: The Book of the Times (of Prayer)
This narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i 523 demonstrates the Prophet's ﷺ profound wisdom in teaching through practical demonstration rather than mere verbal instruction. When the questioner asked about prayer times, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ chose to show the beginning and ending boundaries of each prayer over two consecutive days.
Pedagogical Methodology
The Prophet ﷺ employed a teaching method that combined visual demonstration with practical experience. By praying at the earliest permissible time on the first day and at the latest permissible time on the second day, he visually defined the complete timeframe for each prayer.
This approach ensures comprehensive understanding, as the student witnesses both extremes and thus comprehends the entire range of valid times. The declaration "The time (for prayer) is between these times" encapsulates this entire lesson in one profound statement.
Specific Time Indicators
For Fajr: The first day shows its beginning at true dawn (when horizontal light appears), while the second day demonstrates its end at sunrise.
For Zuhr: Begins when the sun passes its zenith and ends when shadows equal objects (near Asr time).
For Asr: The preferred time is while the sun remains high, though permissible until the sun turns reddish-yellow before setting.
For Maghrib: Time begins immediately after sunset and extends until twilight disappears.
For Isha: Begins when twilight disappears and extends until midnight or up to one-third of the night according to this demonstration.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
This hadith establishes the flexibility within Islamic prayer times while emphasizing the excellence of praying at the earliest time, except for Isha which may be delayed until the first third of the night and Zuhr during extreme heat.
The demonstration also highlights the importance of recognizing natural signs as markers for worship times, connecting the Muslim's daily rhythm to Allah's natural signs in the heavens.