Mishkat al-Masabih

Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The earliest time for prayer is what pleases God, and the latest time is what God allows as a concession.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Umm Farwa said that when asked what act was most excellent, the Prophet replied that it was prayer at the beginning of the proper period for it. Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it, and Tirmidhi said that the tradition is transmitted only from the traditions of ‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar al-‘Umari who is not considered by traditionists to be strong.

‘A’isha said that God’s Messenger did not pray any prayer at the last possible moment on two occasions during his whole life. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Ayyub reported God's Messenger as saying, “My people will continue to prosper (or he said, to follow Islam), as long as they do not postpone the sunset prayer till the stars are not in abundance.” Abu Dawud transmitted it and Darimi transmitted it from al-‘Abbas.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Were it not for causing distress to my people, I would command them to postpone the night prayer till a third or a half of the night had passed.” Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Mu'adh b, Jabal reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Observe this prayer when it is dark, for by it you have been made superior to all the peoples, no people having observed it before you”. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

An-Nu‘man b. Bashir said, “I am the one who is best informed of the time of this prayer, the last prayer of the evening. God’s Messenger used to observe it when the moon went down on its third night.” Abu Dawud and Darimi transmitted it.

Rafi' b. Khadij reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Observe Morning Prayer at dawn, for it is the practice most productive of reward.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Darimi transmitted it, but Nasa’i does not have “for it is the practice most productive of reward.”

Rafi‘ b. Khadij said, “We u.ed to pray the afternoon prayer with God’s Messenger, then a camel would be slaughtered, divided into ten portions, and cooked, and we would eat well-done meat before sunset.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

We waited one night in expectation of God’s Messenger for the last prayer of the evening, and he came out to us when a third of the night had passed, or later; we did not know whether he had been occupied with family business, or something else. When he came out he said, “You are waiting for a time of prayer for which the followers of no other religion wait, and were it not that it would impose a burden on my people, I would normally pray with them at this time.” He then gave orders to the mu'adhdhin who declared that the time for prayer had come, and then prayed. Muslim transmitted it.

Jabir b. Samura said, “God’s Messenger used to observe the times of prayer more or less as you do, but he would delay the prayer after nightfall to a little after the time you observe it, and he would shorten the prayer.” Muslim transmitted it.

We observed the prayer after nightfall with God’s Messenger, and he did not come out till about half the night had passed. He then said, “Take your places,” and when we had done so he said, “The people have prayed and gone to bed, but you are still engaged in prayer as long as you wait for the prayer. Were it not for the weakness of the weak and the sickness of the sick, I would delay the prayer till half the night had gone;” Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

Umm Salama said, “God’s Messenger observed the noon prayer much earlier than you, but you observe the afternoon prayer much earlier than he.” Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Anas said that during the hot weather God’s Messenger delayed the prayer till it was cooler, but in the cold weather he observed it early. Nasa’i transmitted it.

‘Ubada b. as-Samit told that God’s Messenger said to him, “After my death you will have over you rulers who will be diverted by various matters from observing the prayer at its proper time till its time is past; so observe the prayer at its proper time.” On being asked by a man whether he should pray along with them, he replied, “Yes.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Qabisa b. Waqqas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “After my death you will have over you rulers who will delay the prayer, and it will be to your credit but to their discredit. So pray with them so long as they pray facing the qibla.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Ubaidallah b. ‘Adi b. al-Khiyar told how he visited ‘Uthman when he was besieged and said, “You are a leader who has been accepted generally, yet what you see has happened to you, and a rebel leader conducts our prayer and we abstain.” He replied, “Prayer is the best thing people do; so when people do good, do good along with them, but when they do evil turn aside from their evil-doing.” Bukhari transmitted it.

‘Umara b. Ruwaiba said that he heard God's Messenger say, “No one will enter hell who has prayed before the rising of the sun and before its setting," meaning the dawn and the afternoon prayer. Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Musa reported God’s Messenger as saying, “He who observes the two cool times of prayer (at dawn and after nightfall) will enter paradise.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Angels take turns among you by night and by day, and they all assemble at the dawn and the afternoon prayers. Those who spent the night among you then ascend, and their Lord asks them, yet He is best informed about them, “How did you leave My servants?” They reply, “We left them while they were praying, and we came to them while they were praying.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)