Umm Farwah (r.a.) narrates, that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked “Which deed is the best?” So he (ﷺ) said: “Salat (prayer) in the beginning of its time.”
[at Tirmidhi, 170; Classed as Sahih]
In another narration, Al-Walid bin Aizar mentions that it was asked of the Prophet (ﷺ) “Which deed is loved most by Allah?" He (ﷺ) replied, “To offer prayers at their early (very first) stated times.” It was again asked, "What is the next (in goodness)?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "To be good and dutiful to one's parents," Again it was asked, "What is the next (in goodness)?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “To participate in Jihad for Allah's Cause."
[Sahih Bukhari, 5970]
Similarly, it is reported on the authority of Abdullah (r.a.) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “The best of deeds is the (observance of) prayer at its proper time and kindness to the parents.”
[Sahih Muslim, 155]
Brothers & sisters, think about this carefully; which is a better deed before Allah?
Attending a motivational Islamic lecture OR prayer at its earliest time?
Going to an amazing charity fund-raiser OR prayer at its earliest time?
Giving naseeha (religious advice/counsel) to someone OR prayer at its earliest time?
Helping your kids with homework OR prayer at its earliest time?
Spending quality time with your family OR prayer at its earliest time?
Reading Qur’an in a beautiful voice OR prayer at its earliest time?
Get the idea? If you really wish to please Allah and do the deeds that He loves most, then know that nothing beats prayer at its earliest time. After all, this is why we were created in the first place.
“And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me.”
[Surah adh-Dhariyat 51:56]
Aisha (r.a.) narrated that: “Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) did not pray any Salat at the end of its time two times, until Allah took him.”
[at-Tirmidhi, 174; Classed as Hasan]
In the commentary of the above hadith, Ash-Shaafi’i said: “The beginning of the time for the Salat is the most virtuous. Among the proofs for the virtue of the beginning of its time over its end is that it was the choice of the Prophet (ﷺ), Abu Bakr and Umar. They would only choose what was more virtuous, they would not forsake the virtue, and they would pray at the beginning of its time.”
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not offer prayer in its latest time more than two times, without the need; and when he did so, the first time was for the purpose of learning (from Jibril) and the second, for the purpose of teaching; else under normal circumstances he (ﷺ) never offered even a single prayer at its last time.
Regarding the delaying of Isha prayer
Aisha (r.a.) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) one night delayed (observing the Isha prayer) till a great part of the night was over and the people in the mosque had gone to sleep. He (ﷺ) then came out and observed prayer and said, “This is the proper time for it; were it not that I would impose a burden on my people (I would normally pray at this time)."
[Sahih Muslim, 1333]
The question was put to Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen:
Question: What is the ruling concerning delaying the Isha Prayer to a late time?
Response: The best act with respect to the Isha Prayer is to delay it until its last time. Whatever amount it is delayed is better. This is true except in the case of men. If a man is going to delay the Isha Prayer and by so doing is going to miss performing it in congregation, then it is not allowed for him to delay it and miss the congregation. As for women in their homes, the more they delay the Isha Prayer, the better for them. However, they cannot delay it beyond half of the night.
Hope this helps in-sha'Allah.
[Sahih Muslim, 1333]
The question was put to Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen:
Question: What is the ruling concerning delaying the Isha Prayer to a late time?
Response: The best act with respect to the Isha Prayer is to delay it until its last time. Whatever amount it is delayed is better. This is true except in the case of men. If a man is going to delay the Isha Prayer and by so doing is going to miss performing it in congregation, then it is not allowed for him to delay it and miss the congregation. As for women in their homes, the more they delay the Isha Prayer, the better for them. However, they cannot delay it beyond half of the night.
Hope this helps in-sha'Allah.
1 comment:
Jazak'Allah Khairin Akhi for the reminder. I have found that if you pray by Jamaat then Shaytaan has no way of causing you to delay your salaat. And if you do happen to miss the jamaat then immediately pray salaat on your. Don't take that as an excuse to delay it.
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