The Book of the Times (of Prayer)

كتاب المواقيت

Chapter 20: What Is Recommended Regarding Delaying 'Isha'

It was narrated that Jabir bin Samurah said

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to delay the later 'Isha'."[1][1] It is described as the later 'Isha' prayer because the Maghrib prayer is sometimes called 'Isha' prayer, but it is the first 'Isha'. Some scholars are of the opinion that it is disliked to call Maghrib 'Isha' without qualifying it as the first 'Isha'. See Fath Al-Bari.

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said

"Were it not that I would impose too much difficulty on my Ummah, I would have commanded them to delay 'Isha' and to use the Siwak for every prayer."

Chapter 21: The End Of The Time For 'Isha'

It was narrated that 'Aishah said

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) delayed A;-'Atamah one night, and 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, called out to him: 'The women and children have gone to sleep.' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out and said: 'No one is waiting for it except you.' At that time no prayer was offered except in Al-Madinah. Then he said: 'Pray it between the time when the twilight disappears and when one-third of the night has passed.'"

It was narrated that 'Aishah the Mother of the Believers said

"The Prophet (ﷺ) delayed the prayer one night until most of the night had passed and the people in the Masjid had gone home to sleep, then he went out and prayed, and said: 'This is indeed its (prayer) time, were it not that I would impose too much difficulty on my Ummah.'"

It was narrated that Ibn 'Umar said

"We stayed in the Masjid one night waiting for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to pray 'Isha'. He came out to us when one-third of the night or more had passed, and he said when he came out: 'You are waiting for a prayer for which the followers of no other religion are waiting. Were it not that I would impose too much difficulty on my Ummah, I would have led them in prayer at this time.' Then he commanded the Mu'adhdhin to say the Iqamah and he prayed."

It was narrated that Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri said

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) led us in Maghrib prayer, then he did not come out to us until half the night had passed. Then he came out and led them in prayer, then he said: 'The people have prayed and gone to sleep, but you are still in a state of prayer so long as you are waiting for the prayer. Were it not for the weakness of the weak and, the sickness of the sick, I would have commanded that this prayer be delayed until halfway through the night.'"

Humaid said

"Anas was asked: 'Did the Prophet (ﷺ) use a ring?' He said: 'Yes. One night he delayed the later 'Isha' prayer, until almost halfway through the night. When he prayed the Prophet (ﷺ) turned his face toward us and said: 'You are still in a state of prayer so long as you waiting for it.'" Anas said: 'It is as if I can see the luster of his ring.' According to the narration of 'Ali - that is, Ibn Hujr - "until halfway through the night."

Chapter 22: Concession Allowing 'Isha' To Be Called "Al-'Atamah"

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said

"If the people knew what (virtue) there was in the call to prayer and the first row, and they not find any way to get to do that [1] other than by drawing lots, they would do that. If they knew what (virtue) there was in coming early to prayer, they would compete to be first in the Masjid. If they knew what (virtue) there was in Al-'Atamah and Subh, they would come to them even if they had to crawl."[1] Indicating the two mentioned items: that is the call to prayer and praying in the first row.

Chapter 23: It Is Disapproved To Call 'Isha'

It was narrated that Ibn 'Umar said

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Do not let the Bedouin make you change the name of this prayer of yours, for they delay the prayer until it is very dark because of their preoccupation with camels and milking them. Verily, it is 'Isha'.'"

It was narrated that Ibn 'Umar said

"I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say on the Minbar: 'Do not let the Bedouin make you change the name of your prayer; verily, it is 'Isha'.'"

Chapter 24: The Beginning Of The Time For Subh

Ja'far bin Muhammad bin 'Ali bin Al-Husain narrated from his father, that Jabir bin 'Abdullah said

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed Subh as soon as he was certain the dawn had appeared."

Humaid narrated from Ans that a man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and asked him about the time of the Subh prayer. The following morning he commanded that the Iqamah for prayer be said when dawn broke, and he led us in prayer. The next day when there was light he commanded that the Iqamah for prayer be said and he led us in prayer. Then he said

"Where is the one who was asking about the time for prayer? (It is) between these two times."

Chapter 25: At-Taghlis (Praying Fajr While It Is Still Dark) While a Resident

It was narrated that 'Aishah said

"When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) has prayed Subh, the women would depart, wrapped in their wrappers, unrecognizable because of the darkness."

It was narrated that 'Aishah said

"The women used to pray Subh with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), wrapped in their wrappers, then they would return, and no one would recognize them because of the darkness."

Chapter 26: At-Taghlis (Praying Fajr While It Is Still Dark) While Travelling

It was narrated that Anas said

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed Fajr on the day of Khaibar during the time it was still dark, when he was near the enemy. Then he attacked them and said: 'Allahu Akbar! Khaibar is destroyed!' Twice. 'Then, when it descends in their courtyard, evil will be the morning for those who had been warned!'" [1][1] As-Saffat 37:177

Chapter 27: Al-Isfar (Praying fajr When It Has Become Lighter)

It was narrated from Rafi' bin Khadij that the Prophet (ﷺ) said

"Pray Fajr when the dawn shines."

It was narrated from Mahmud bin Labid, from some men among his people who were of the Ansar, that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said

"The more you delay Fajr, the greater the reward."

Chapter 28: Whoever Catches Up With A Rak'ah Of The Subh Prayer

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said

"Whoever catches up with a prostration of Subh before the sun rises, then he has caught up with it; and whoever catches up with a prostration of 'Asr before the sun sets, then he has caught up with it."

It was narrated from 'Aishah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said

"Whoever catches up with a Rak'ah of Fajr before the sun rises, then he has caught up with it; and whoever catches up with a Rak'ah of 'Asr before the sun sets, then he has caught up with it."

Chapter 29: The End Of The Time For Subh

It was narrated that Anas bin Malik said

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to pray Zuhr when the sun passed its zenith, and he would pray 'Asr between these two prayers; and he would pray Maghrib when the sun had set, and he used to pray 'Isha' when the twilight had disappeared," then he said straight after that: "And he would pray Fajr when a man could see clearly."