Book Ten – Times of the Prayers

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Hadith Number 500.

Narrated by Ibn Shihab : Once'Umar bin 'Abdul 'Aziz (Radhi Allahu Anhu) delayed the prayer and 'Urwa bin Az-Zubair (Radhi Allahu Anhu) went to him and said, "Once in 'Iraq, Al-MughTra 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 (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) prayed too, then he prayed again (Zuhr prayer) and so did Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and again he prayed ('Asr prayers and Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) did the same; again he prayed (Maghrib-prayer) and so did Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and again prayed ('Isha prayer) and so did Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and (Gabriel) said, 'I was ordered to do so (to demonstrate the prayers prescribed to you)?'" 'Umar (bin 'Abdul 'AzTz) said to 'Urwa, "Be sure of what you Say. Did Gabriel lead Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) 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, "‘Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) told me that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to pray 'Asr prayer when the sun-shine was still inside her residence (during the early time of 'Asr)."


Hadith Number 501.

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): "Once a delegation of 'Abdul Qais came to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and said, "We belong to such and such branch of the tribe of Rab'a and we can only come to you in the sacred months. Order us to do something good so that we may (carry out) take it from you and also invite to it our people whom we have left behind (at home)." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, " I order you to do four things and forbid you from four things. (The first four are as follows):

1. To believe in Allah. (And then he: explained it to them i.e.) to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and (Muhammad) is Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam).
2. To offer prayers perfectly. (at the stated times)
3. To pay Zakat. (obligatory charity)
4. To give me Khumus. (1/5th of the war bounty)

(The other four things which are forbidden are as follows):

1. Dubba.
2. Hantam.
3. Muqaiyat.
4. Naqir (all these are utensils used for the preparation of alcoholic drinks)."


Hadith Number 502.

Narrated by Jarir bin 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): I gave the pledge of allegiance to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) for to offer prayers perfectly, to pay Zakat regularly, and to give good advice to every Muslim.


Hadith Number 503.

Narrated by Shaqiq : That he had heard Hudhaifa saying, "Once I was sitting with 'Umar and he said, 'Who amongst you remembers the statement of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) about the afflictions?' I said, 'I know it as the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) had said it.' 'Umar said, 'No doubt you are bold.' I said, 'The afflictions caused for a man by his wife, money, children and neighbor are expiated by his prayers, fasting, charity and by enjoining (what is good) and forbidding (what is evil).' 'Umar said, 'I did not mean that but I asked about that affliction which will spread like the waves of the sea.' I (Hudhaifa) said, 'O leader of the faithful believers! You need not be afraid of it as there is a closed door between you and it.' 'Umar asked, Will the door be broken or opened?' I replied, 'It will be broken.' 'Umar said, 'Then it will never be closed again.' I was asked whether 'Umar knew that door. I replied that he knew it as one knows that there will be night before the tomorrow morning. I narrated a Hadith that was free from any mis-statement" The subnarrator added that they deputed Masruq to ask Hudhaifa (about the door). Hudhaifa said, "The door was 'Umar himself."


Hadith Number 504.

Narrated by Ibn Mas'ud (Radhi Allahu Anhu): A man kissed a woman (unlawfully) and then went to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and informed him. Allah revealed:

And offer prayers perfectly at the two ends of the day And in some hours of the night (i.e. the five compulsory prayers). Verily! good deeds remove (annul) the evil deeds (small sins) (Surah Hud 11:114).

The man asked Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam), "Is it for me?" He said, "It is for all my followers."

Hadith Number 505.

Narrated by 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): I asked the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) "Which deed is the dearest to Allah?" He replied, "To offer the prayers at their early stated fixed times." I asked, "What is the next (in goodness)?" He replied, "To be good and dutiful to your parents" I again asked, "What is the next (in goodness)?" He replied, 'To participate in Jihad (religious fighting) in Allah's cause." 'Abdullah added, "I asked only that much and if I had asked more, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) would have told me more."


Hadith Number 506.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): I heard Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) saying, "If there was a river at the door of anyone of you and he took a bath in it five times a day would you notice any dirt on him?" They said, "Not a trace of dirt would be left." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) added, "That is the example of the five prayers with which Allah blots out (annuls) evil deeds."


Hadith Number 507.

Narrated by Ghailan: Anas (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said, "I do not find (now-a-days) things as they were (practiced) at the time of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)." Somebody said "The prayer (is as it was.)" Anas said, "Have you not done in the prayer what you have done?

Narrated Az-Zuhri that he visited Anas bin Malik at Damascus and found him weeping and asked him why he was weeping. He replied, "I do not know anything which I used to know during the life-time of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) except this prayer which is being lost (not offered as it should be)."


Hadith Number 508.

Narrated by Anas (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Whenever anyone of you offers his prayer he is speaking in private to his Lord. So he should not spit to his right but under his left foot." Qatada said, "He should not spit in front of him but to his left or under his feet." And Shu'ba said, "He should not spit in front of him, nor to his right but to his left or under his foot." Anas said: The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "He should neither spit in the direction of his Qiblah nor to his right but to his left or under his foot."


Hadith Number 509.

Narrated by Anas (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Do the prostration properly and do not put your fore-arms flat with elbows touching the ground like a dog. And if you want to spit, do not spit in front, nor to the right for the person in prayer is speaking in private to his Lord."


Hadith Number 510.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah and 'Abdullah bin 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "If it is very hot, then pray the Dhuhr prayer when it becomes (a bit) cooler, as the severity of the heat is from the raging of the Hell-fire."


Hadith Number 511.

Narrated by Abu Dhar (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Muadhdhin (call-maker) of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) pronounced the Adhan (call) for the Dhuhr prayer but the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Let it be cooler, let it be cooler." Or said, 'Wait, wait, because the severity of heat is from the raging of the Hell-fire. In severe hot weather, pray when it becomes (a bit) cooler and the shadows of hillocks appear."


Hadith Number 512.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "In very hot weather delay the Dhuhr prayer till it becomes (a bit) cooler because the severity of heat is from the raging of Hell-fire. The Hell-fire of Hell complained to its Lord saying: O Lord! My parts are eating (destroying) one another. So Allah allowed it to take two breaths, one in the winter and the other in the summer. The breath in the summer is at the time when you feel the severest heat and the breath in the winter is at the time when you feel the severest cold."


Hadith Number 513.

Narrated by Abu Sa'id (Radhi Allahu Anhu): That Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Pray Dhuhr prayer when it becomes (a bit) cooler as the severity of heat is from the raging of the Hell-fire."

Hadith Number 514.

Narrated by Abu Dhar Al-Ghifar (Radhi Allahu Anhu): We were with the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) on a journey and the Mu'adhdhin (call maker for the prayer) wanted to pronounce the Adhan (call) for the Zuhr prayer. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, 'Let it become cooler." He again (after a while) wanted to pronounce the Adhan but the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said to him, "Let it become cooler till we see the shadows of hillocks." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) added, "The severity of heat is from the raging of the Hell-fire, and in very hot weather pray (Dhuhr) when it becomes cooler."


Hadith Number 515.

Narrated by Anas bin Malik (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) came out as the sun declined at mid-day and offered the Dhuhr prayer. He then stood on the pulpit and spoke about the Hour (Day of Judgment) and said that in it there would be tremendous things. He then said, "Whoever likes to ask me about anything he can do so and I shall reply as long as I am at this place of mine. Most of the people wept and the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said repeatedly, "Ask me." Abdullah bin Hudhafa As-Sahmi stood up and said, "Who is my father?" The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Your father is Hudhafa." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) repeatedly said, "Ask me." Then Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhu) knelt before him and said, "We are pleased with Allah as our Lord, Islam as our religion, and Muhammad as our Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) then became quiet and said, "Paradise and Hell-fire were displayed in front of me on this wall just now and I have never seen a better thing (than the former) and a worse thing (than the latter)."


Hadith Number 516.

Narrated by Abu Al-Minhal : Abu Barza said, "The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to offer the Fajr (prayer) when one could recognize the person sitting by him (after the prayer) and he used to recite between 60 to 100 Ayat (verses) of the Qur'an. He used to offer the Dhuhr prayer as soon as the sun declined (at noon) and the 'Asr at a time when a man might go and return from the farthest place in Medina and find the sun still hot. (The sub-narrator forgot what was said about the Maghrib). He did not mind delaying the 'Isha prayer to one third of the night or the middle of the night."


Hadith Number 517.

Narrated by Anas bin Malik (Radhi Allahu Anhu): When we offered the Dhuhr prayers behind Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) we used to prostrate on our clothes to protect ourselves from the heat.


Hadith Number 518.

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): "The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) prayed eight Rakat for the Dhuhr and 'Asr, and seven for the Maghrib and 'Isha prayers in Medina." Aiyub said, "Perhaps those were rainy nights." Anas said, "May be."


Hadith Number 519.

Narrated by ‘Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to offer the 'Asr prayer when the sunshine had not disappeared from my chamber.


Hadith Number 520.

Narrated by ‘Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) : Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to offer the 'Asr prayers at a time when the sunshine was still inside my chamber and no shadow had yet appeared in it.


Hadith Number 521.

Narrated by ‘Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to pray the 'Asr prayers at a time when the sunshine was still inside my chamber and no shadow had yet appeared in it.


Hadith Number 522.

Narrated by Saiyar bin Salama : I along with my father went to Abu- Barza Al-Aslarrni and my father asked him, "How Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to offer the five compulsory congregational prayers?" Abu- Barza said, "The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to pray the Dhuhr prayer which you (people) call the first one at mid-day when the sun had just declined The Asr prayer at a time when after the prayer, a man could go to the house at the farthest place in Medina (and arrive) while the sun was still hot. (I forgot about the Maghrib prayer). The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) loved to delay the 'Isha which you call Al- Atama and he disliked sleeping before it and speaking after it. After the Fajr prayer he used to leave when a man could recognize the one sitting beside him and he used to recite between 60 to 100 Ayat (in the Fajr prayer).

Hadith Number 523.

Narrated by Anas bin Malik (Radhi Allahu Anhu): We used to pray the Asr prayer and after that if someone happened to go to the tribe of Bani Amr bin Auf, he would find them still praying the Asr (prayer).


Hadith Number 524.

Narrated by Abu Bakr bin Uthman bin Sahl bin Hunaif : That he heard Abu Umama saying: We prayed the Dhuhr prayer with 'Umar bin Abdul Aziz and then went to Anas bin Malik and found him offering the Asr prayer. I asked him, "O uncle! Which prayer have you offered?" He said 'The Asr and this is (the time of) the prayer of Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) which we used to pray with him."


Hadith Number 525.

Narrated by Anas bin Malik (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to offer the 'Asr prayer at a time when the sun was still hot and high and if a person went to Al-'Awali (a place) of Medina, he would reach there when the sun was still high. Some of Al-'Awali of Medina were about four miles or so from the town.


Hadith Number 526.

Narrated by Anas bin Malik (Radhi Allahu Anhu): We used to pray the 'Asr and after that if one of US went to Quba'he would arrive there while the sun was still high.


Hadith Number 527.

Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) : Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Whoever misses the 'Asr prayer (intentionally) then it is as if he lost his family and property."


Hadith Number 528.

Narrated by Abu Al-Mahh : We were with Buraida in a battle on a cloudy day and he said, "Offer the 'Asr prayer early as the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Whoever leaves the 'Asr prayer, all his (good) deeds will be annulled."


Hadith Number 529.

Narrated by Qais: Jarir (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said, "We were with the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and he looked at the moon-full-moon and said, 'Certainly you will see your Lord as you see this moon and you will have no trouble in seeing Him. So if you can avoid missing (through sleep or business, etc.) a prayer before the sun-rise (Fajr) and a prayer before sunset ('Asr), you must do so.' He then recited Allah's Statement: And celebrate the praises Of your Lord before The rising of the sun And before (its) setting." (50.39) Isma'il said, "Offer those prayers and do not miss them."


Hadith Number 530.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Angels come to you in succession by night and day and all of them get together at the time of the Fajr and 'Asr prayers. Those who have passed the night with you (or stayed with you) ascend (to the Heaven) and Allah asks them, though He knows everything about you, well, "In what state did you leave my slaves?" The angels reply: "When we left them they were praying and when we reached them, they were praying."


Hadith Number 531.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "If anyone of you can get one Rak'ah of the 'Asr prayer before sunset, he should complete his prayer. If any of you can get one Rak'ah of the Fajr prayer before sunrise, he should complete his prayer."


Hadith Number 532.

Narrated by Salim bin 'Abdullah : My father said, "I heard Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) saying, 'The period of your stay as compared to the previous nations is like the period equal to the time between the 'Asr prayer and sunset. The people of the Torah were given the Torah and they acted (upon it) till mid-day then they were exhausted and were given one Qirat (*) (of gold) each. And then the people of the Gospel were given the Gospel and they acted (upon it) till the 'Asr prayer then they were exhausted and were! given one Qirat each. And then we were given the Qur'an and we acted (upon it) till sunset and we were given two Qirats each. On that the people of both the scriptures said, 'O our Lord! You have given them two Qirats and given us one Qirat, though we have worked more than they.' Allah said, 'Have I usurped some of your right?' They said, 'No.' Allah said: "That is my blessing I bestow upon whomsoever I wish."

Qirat here symbolizes the reward

Hadith Number 533.

Narrated by Abu Musa (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "The example of Muslims, Jews and Christians is like the example of a man who employed laborers to work for him from morning till night. They worked till mid-day and they said, 'We are not in need of your reward.' SO the man employed another batch and said to them, 'Complete the rest of the day and yours will be the wages I had fixed (for the first batch). They worked Up till the time of the 'Asr prayer and said, 'Whatever we have done is for you.' He employed another batch. They worked for the rest of the day till sunset, and they received the wages of the two former batches." (*)

This is the similitude of the Muslims who accepted Allah’s guidance and the teachings of His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and the similitude of the Jews and Christians who distorted and corrupted their books and disbelieved in the Prophet that came after Jesus. We notice that the Jews and Christians are different from those referred to in the previous Hadith (532) for the later were believers and died before the Advent of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and this is why they were rewarded, while the rewards of the former were given to the Muslims.

Hadith Number 534.

Narrated by Rafi' bin Khadij (Radhi Allahu Anhu): We used to offer the Maghrib prayer with the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and after finishing the prayer one of us may go away and could still see as Par as the spots where one's arrow might reach when shot by a bow.


Hadith Number 535.

Narrated by Jabir bin 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to pray the Dhuhr at mid-day, and the 'Asr at a time when the sun was still bright, the Maghrib after sunset (at its stated time) and the Isha at a variable time. Whenever he saw the people assembled (for Isha' prayer) he would pray earlier and if the people delayed, he would delay the prayer. And they or the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to offer the Fajr Prayers when it still dark.


Hadith Number 536.

Narrated by Salama (Radhi Allahu Anhu): We used to pray the Maghrib prayer with the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) when the sun disappeared from the horizon.


Hadith Number 537.

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) prayed seven Rakat together and eight Rakat together.


Hadith Number 538.

Narrated by 'Abdullah Al-Muzani (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Do not be influenced by Bedouins regarding the name of your Maghrib prayer which is called 'Isha' by them."


Hadith Number 539.

Narrated by Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): "One night Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) led us in the 'Isha' prayer and that is the one called Al-'Atma by the people. After the completion of the prayer, he faced us and said, "Do you know the importance of this night? Nobody present on the surface of the earth to-night will be living after one hundred years from this night." (See Hadith No. 575).


Hadith Number 540.

Narrated by Muhammad bin 'Amr : We asked Jabir bin 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhu) about the prayers of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). He said, "He used to pray Dhuhr prayer at mid-day, the 'Asr when the sun was still hot, and the Maghrib after sunset (at its stated time). The 'Isha was offered early if the people gathered, and used to be delayed if their number was less; and the morning prayer was offered when it was still dark."


Hadith Number 541.

Narrated by ‘Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) : Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) once delayed the 'Isha' prayer and that was during the days when Islam still had not spread. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) did not come out till 'Umar informed him that the women and children had slept. Then he came out and said to the people of the mosque: "None amongst the dwellers of the earth has been waiting for it ('Isha prayer) except you."

Hadith Number 542.

Narrated by Abu Musa (Radhi Allahu Anhu): My companions, who came with me in the boat and I landed at a place called Baqi Buthan. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was in Madinah at that time. One of us used to go to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) by turns every night at the time of the Isha prayer. Once I along with my companions went to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and he was busy in some of his affairs, so the 'Isha' prayer was delayed to the middle of the night He then came out and led the people (in prayer). After finishing from the prayer, he addressed the people present there saying, "Be patient! Don't go away. Have the glad tiding. It is from the blessing of Allah upon you that none amongst mankind has prayed at this time save you." Or said, "None except you has prayed at this time." Abu Musa added, 'So we returned happily after what we heard from Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)."


Hadith Number 543.

Narrated by Abu Barza (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) disliked to sleep before the 'Isha' prayer and to talk after it.


Hadith Number 544.

Narrated by Ibn Shihab from 'Urwa : ‘Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) said, "Once Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) delayed the 'Isha' prayer till 'Umar reminded him by saying, "The prayer!" The women and children have slept. Then the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) came out and said, 'None amongst the dwellers of the earth has been waiting for it (the prayer) except you." Urwa said, "Nowhere except in Medina the prayer used to be offered (in those days)." He further said, "The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to offer the 'Isha' prayer in the period between the disappearance of the twilight and the end of the first third of the night."


Hadith Number 545.

Narrated by Ibn Juraij from Nafi : 'Abdullah bin 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) said, "Once Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was busy (at the time of the 'Isha'), so the prayer was delayed so much so that we slept and woke up and slept and woke up again. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) came out and said, 'None amongst the dwellers of the earth but you have been waiting for the prayer." Ibn ‘Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) did not find any harm in praying it earlier or in delaying it unless he was afraid that sleep might overwhelm him and he might miss the prayer, and sometimes he used to sleep before the 'Isha' prayer. Ibn Juraij said, "I said to 'Ata', 'I heard Ibn ‘Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) saying: Once Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) delayed the 'Isha' prayer to such an extent that the people slept and got up and slept again and got up again. Then 'Umar bin Al-Khattab (Radhi Allahu Anhu), stood up and reminded the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) of the prayer.' 'Ata' said, 'Ibn ‘Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) said: The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) came out as if I was looking at him at this time, and water was trickling from his head and he was putting his hand on his head and then said, 'Hadn't I thought it hard for my followers, I would have ordered them to pray ('Isha' prayer) at this time.' I asked 'Ata' for further information, how the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) had kept his hand on his head as he was told by Ibn ‘Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma). 'Ata' separated his fingers slightly and put their tips on the side of the head, brought the fingers downwards approximating them till the thumb touched the lobe of the ear at the side of the temple and the beard on the face. He neither slowed nor hurried in this action but he acted like that. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said: "Hadn't I thought it hard for my followers I would have ordered them to pray at this time."


Hadith Number 546.

Narrated by Anas (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) delayed the 'lsha' prayer till midnight and then he offered the prayer and said, "The people prayed and slept but you have been in prayer as long as you have been waiting for it (the prayer)." Anas (Radhi Allahu Anhu) added: As if I am looking now at the glitter of the ring of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) on that night.


Hadith Number 547.

Narrated by Jarir bin 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): We were with the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) on a full moon night. He looked at the moon and said, "You will certainly see your Lord as you see this moon, and there will be no trouble in seeing Him. So if you can avoid missing (through sleep, business, etc.) a prayer before the rising of the sun (Fajr) and before its setting ('Asr) you must do so. He (the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)) then recited the following verse:

And celebrate the praises Of Your Lord before The rising of the sun And before (its) setting." (Surah Qaf 50.39)


Hadith Number 548.

Narrated by Abu Bakr bin Abi Musa: My father said, "Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, 'Whoever prays the two cool prayers ('Asr and Fajr) will go to Paradise.' "

Hadith Number 549.
Narrated by Anas (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Zaid bin Thabit (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said, "We took the "Suhur" (the meal taken before dawn while fasting is observed) with the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and then stood up for the (morning) prayer." I asked him how long the interval between the two (Suhur and prayer) was. He replied, 'The interval between the two was just sufficient to recite fifty to Sixth 'Ayat."


Hadith Number 550.

Narrated by Qatada : Anas bin Malik (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said, "The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and Zaid bin Thabit (Radhi Allahu Anhu) took the 'Suhur' together and after finishing the meal, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) stood up and prayed (Fajr prayer)." I asked Anas, "How long was the interval between finishing their 'Suhur' and starting the prayer?" He replied, "The interval between the two was just sufficient to recite fifty 'Ayat." (Verses of the Qur’an)."


Hadith Number 551.

Narrated by Sahl bin Sa'd (Radhi Allahu Anhu): I used to take the "Suhur" meal with my family and hasten so as to catch the Fajr (morning prayer) with Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam).


Hadith Number 552.

Narrated by ‘Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): The believing women covered with their veiling sheets used to attend the Fajr prayer with Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam), and after finishing the prayer they would return to their home and nobody could recognize them because of darkness.


Hadith Number 553.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Whoever could get one Rak’ah (of the Fajr prayer) before sunrise, he has got the (morning) prayer and whoever could get one Rak’ah of the ‘Asr prayer before sunset, he has got the ('Asr) prayer."


Hadith Number 554.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Whoever could get one Rak'ah of a prayer, (in its proper time) he has got the prayer."


Hadith Number 555.

Narrated by 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhu): "The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) forbade praying after the Fajr prayer till the sun rises and after the 'Asr prayer till the sun sets."


Hadith Number 556.

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): Some people told me the same narration (as above).


Hadith Number 557.

Narrated by Hisham's father : Ibn ‘Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) said, "Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, 'Do not pray at the time of sunrise and at the time of sunset.' " Ibn ‘Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) said, "Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, 'If the edge of the sun appears (above the horizon) delay the prayer till it becomes high, and if the edge of the sun disappears, delay the prayer till it sets (disappears completely).' "


Hadith Number 558.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) forbade two kinds of sales, two kinds of dresses, and two prayers. He forbade offering prayers after the Fajr prayer till the rising of the sun and after the 'Asr prayer till its setting. He also forbade "Ishtimal-Assama" and "al-Ihtiba" in one garment in such a way that one's private parts are exposed towards the sky. He also forbade the sales called "Munabadha" and "Mulamasa." (See Book of Sales Hadith No. 354 and 355).

Ishtimal-Assama- wrapping one’s body with a garment so that one cannot raise the ends or take hands out of it.
Al-Ihtiba-similar to the above
Munabadha-same as Nidadh- a kind of sale which is complete when the sellers throws something to the buyer giving him opportunity to check or exam it.
Mulamasa- same as Limas- a sale in which a deal is completed if the buyer touches a thing without seeing or checking it properly.

Hadith Number 559.

Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "None of you should try to pray at sunrise or sunset."


Hadith Number 560.

Narrated by Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (Radhi Allahu Anhu): I heard Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) saying, "There is no prayer after the morning prayer till the sun rises, and there is no prayer after the Asr prayer till the sun sets."


Hadith Number 561.

Narrated by Muawiya (Radhi Allahu Anhu): You offer a prayer which I did not see being offered by Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) when we were in his company and he certainly had forbidden it (i.e. two Rakat after the Asr prayer).


Hadith Number 562.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) forbade the offering of two prayers:

1. after the morning prayer till the sunrises.
2. after the 'Asr prayer till the sun sets.


Hadith Number 563.

Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): I pray as I saw my companions praying. I do not forbid praying at any time during the day or night except at sunset and sunrise.


Hadith Number 563A

Narrated by Umm Salama (Radhi Allahu Anha): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) prayed two Rakat after the Asr prayer and said, “Some people of the tribe of
Abdul-Qais made me busy and did not let me pray the two Rakat after the Dhuhr prayer.”

Hadith Number 564.

Narrated by ‘Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): By Allah, Who took away the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) never missed them (two Rakat) after the 'Asr prayer till he met Allah and he did not meet Allah till it became heavy for him to pray while standing so he used to offer most of the prayers while sitting. (She meant the two Rakat after Asr) He used to pray them in the house and never prayed them in the mosque lest it might be hard for his followers and he loved what was easy for them.


Hadith Number 565.

Narrated by Hisham's father: ‘Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) (addressing me) said, "O son of my sister! The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) never missed two prostrations (i.e. Rakat) after the 'Asr prayer in my house."


Hadith Number 566.

Narrated by ‘Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) never missed two Rakat before the Fajr prayer and after the Asr prayer openly and secretly.


Hadith Number 567.

Narrated by ‘Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): Whenever the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) come to me after the 'Asr prayer, he always prayed two Rakat.


Hadith Number 568.

Narrated by Ibn Abu Malih: I was with Buraida on a cloudy day and he said, "Offer the 'Asr prayer earlier as the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, 'Whoever leaves the 'Asr prayer will have all his (good) deeds annulled." (See Hadith No. 527 and 528)


Hadith Number 569.

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin Abi Qatada : My father said, "One night we were traveling with the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and some people said, 'We wish that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) would take a rest along with us during the last hours of the night.' He said, 'I am afraid that you will sleep and miss the (Fajr) prayer.' Bilal (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said, 'I will make you get up.' So all slept and Bilal (Radhi Allahu Anhu) rested his back against his Rahila (*) and he too was overwhelmed (by sleep) and slept. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) got up when the edge of the sun had risen and said, 'O Bilal! What about your statement?' He replied, 'I have never slept such a sleep.' The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, 'Allah captured your souls when He wished, and released them when He wished. O Bilal! Get up and pronounce the Adhan for the prayer.' The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) performed ablution and when the sun came up and became bright, he stood up and prayed."

Rahila- a she-camel used for riding (literally – a mount to ride)


Hadith Number 570.

Narrated by Jabir bin 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): On the day of Al-Khandaq (the battle of trench.) 'Umar bin Al-Khattab (Radhi Allahu Anhu) came cursing the disbelievers of Quraish after the sun had set and said, "O Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) I could not offer the 'Asr prayer till the sun had set." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "By Allah! I, too, have not prayed." So we turned towards Buthan, and the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) performed ablution and we too performed ablution and offered the 'Asr prayer after the sun had set, and then he offered the Maghrib prayer.


Hadith Number 571.

Narrated by Anas (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "If anyone forgets a prayer he should pray that prayer when he remembers it. There is no expiation except to pray the same." Then he recited: "Establish prayer for My (i.e. Allah's) remembrance."(Surah Ta Ha 20:14).


Hadith Number 572.

Narrated by Jabir (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhu) came cursing the disbelievers (of Quraish) on the day of Al-Khandaq (the battle of Trench) and said, "I could not offer the 'Asr prayer till the sun had set. Then we went to Buthan and he offered the ('Asr) prayer after sunset and then he offered the Maghrib prayer.


Hadith Number 573.

Narrated by Abu-l-Minhal: My father and I went to Abi Barza Al-Aslami and my father said to him, "Tell us how Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to offer the compulsory congregational prayers." He said, "He used to pray the Dhuhr prayer, which you call the first prayer, as the sun declined at noon, the 'Asr at a time when one of us could go to his family at the farthest place in Medina while the sun was still hot. (The narrator forgot what Abu Barza had said about the Maghrib prayer), and the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) preferred to pray the 'Isha' late and disliked to sleep before it or talk after it. And he used to return after finishing the morning prayer at such a time when it was possible for one to recognize the person sitting by his side and he (the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)) used to recite 60 to 100 'Ayat' (verses) of the Qur'an in it."


Hadith Number 574.

Narrated by Qurra bin Khalid: Once he waited for Al-Hasan and he did not show up till it was about the usual time for him to start his speech; then he came and apologized saying, "Our neighbors invited us." Then he added, "Narrated Anas, 'Once we waited for the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) till it was midnight or about midnight. He came and led the prayer, and after finishing it, he addressed us and said, 'All the people prayed and then slept and you had been in prayer as long as you were waiting for it." Al-Hasan said, "The people are regarded as performing good deeds as long as they are waiting for doing good deeds." Al-Hasan's statement is a portion of Anas's Hadith from the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam).


Hadith Number 575.

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) prayed one of the 'lsha' prayer in his last days and after finishing it with Taslim, he stood up and said, "Do you realize (the importance of) this night? Nobody present on the surface of the earth to-night would be living after the completion of one hundred years from this night."

The people made a mistake in grasping the meaning of this statement of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and they indulged in those things which are said about these narrators (i.e. some said that the Day of Resurrection will be established after 100 years etc.) But the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Nobody present on the surface of earth tonight would be living after the completion of 100 years from this night" he meant "When that century (people of that century) would pass away." (*)

This was the sign of Prophethood for what Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said was proved as the last of his companions to die was Abu At-Tufail Amir bin Wathila who died 100 years after this prophecy of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and he was 110 years old then.


Hadith Number 576.

Narrated by Abu 'Uthman: 'Abdur Rahman bin Abi Bakr (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) said, "The Suffa Companions were poor people and the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, 'Whoever has food for two persons should take a third one from them (Suffa companions). And whosoever has food for four persons he should take one or two from them' Abu Bakr took three men and the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) took ten of them."

'Abdur Rahman added, my father my mother and I were there (in the house). (The sub-narrator is in doubt whether 'Abdur Rahman also said, 'My wife and our servant who was common for both my house and Abu Bakr's house). Abu Bakr took his supper with the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and remained there till the 'Isha' prayer was offered. Abu Bakr (Radhi Allahu Anhu) went back and stayed with the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) till the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) took his meal and then Abu Bakr returned to his house after a long portion of the night had passed. Abu Bakr's wife said, 'What detained you from your guests (or guest)?' He said, 'Have you not served them yet?' She said, 'They refused to eat until you come. The food was served for them but they refused." 'Abdur Rahman added, "I went away and hid myself (being afraid of Abu Bakr) and in the meantime he (Abu Bakr) called me, 'O Ghunthar (a harsh word)!' and also called me bad names and abused me and then said (to his family), 'Eat. No welcome for you.' Then (the supper was served). Abu Bakr took an oath that he would not eat that food. The narrator added: By Allah, whenever any one of us (myself and the guests of Suffa companions) took anything from the food, it increased from underneath. We all ate to our fill and the food was more than it was before its serving.

Abu Bakr looked at it (the food) and found it as it was before serving or even more than that. He addressed his wife (saying) 'O the sister of Bani Firas! What is this?' She said, 'O the pleasure of my eyes! The food is now three times more than it was before.' Abu Bakr (Radhi Allahu Anhu) ate from it, and said, 'That (oath) was from Satan' meaning his oath (not to eat). Then he again took a morsel (mouthful) from it and then took the rest of it to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). So that meal was with the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). There was a treaty between us and some people, and when the period of that treaty had elapsed the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) divided us into twelve (groups) (the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)'s companions) each being headed by a man. Allah knows how many men were under the command of each (leader). So all of them (12 groups of men) ate of that meal."