the Prophet said: "O Abu Dharr! There will be leaders after me who cause the Salat to die; so perform the Salat during its time. If you pray (with them) during its time, then that will be voluntary Salat for you, if not, then you will have attained your Salat."
Hadith Reference
Jami` at-Tirmidhi 176 - The Book on Salat (Prayer)
Arabic Text
قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: "يا أبا ذر! سيكون بعدي أئمة يميتون الصلاة، فصل الصلاة لوقتها، فإن صليت لوقتها كانت لك نافلة، وإلا فقد صليت"
Contextual Explanation
This profound hadith addresses the critical issue of prayer timing under unjust rulers. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) foresaw future leaders who would deliberately delay prayers beyond their prescribed times, thereby "killing" the spirit and proper observance of salah.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam at-Tirmidhi classified this hadith as hasan (good). Scholars explain that "causing the prayer to die" refers to delaying it beyond its proper time or performing it without proper reverence and conditions.
The command to "perform the prayer during its time" emphasizes the individual obligation (fard 'ayn) that remains regardless of communal neglect. This establishes the principle that personal religious duties cannot be abandoned due to others' negligence.
Legal Rulings
If one prays individually at the proper time and later with the congregation, the first prayer fulfills the obligation while the second becomes a voluntary (nafilah) prayer, earning extra reward.
Scholars differ on whether to repeat congregational prayer with delayed leaders: the Hanafi school considers it recommended, while others view it as obligatory if the delay is excessive.
Spiritual Wisdom
This teaching preserves the essence of worship during times of religious decline. It demonstrates Islam's balance between communal unity and individual responsibility before Allah.
The hadith teaches that proper timing is integral to prayer's validity and spiritual benefit, as each prayer has an appointed time decreed by Divine Wisdom.