Cooling the Prayer in Extreme Heat and Related Rulings
① It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
إذا اشتد الحر فأبردوا بالصلاة فإن شدة الحر من فيح جهنم
“When the heat becomes severe, cool the Dhuhr prayer, because the intensity of the heat is due to the steam of the fire of Hell.”
② Sayyiduna Abu Saeed (RA) reports that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
أبردوا بالظهر فإن شدة الحر من فيح جهنم
“Cool the Dhuhr prayer because the intensity of the heat is due to the fierceness of Hell.”
Delaying the Isha Prayer
① It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
لولا أن أشق على أمتي لأمرتهم أن يؤخروا العشاء إلى ثلث الليل أو نصفه
“If I did not consider it burdensome for my Ummah, I would have ordered them to delay the Isha prayer until one-third or half of the night.”
② It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
لولا أن أشق على أمتي لأمرتهم بتأخير العشاء ، وبالسواك عند كل صلاة
“If I did not consider it burdensome for my Ummah, I would have commanded them to delay the Isha prayer and to use the miswak with every prayer.”
③ Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما states that when the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم delayed the Isha prayer, Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه came and said: “O Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم! The praying women and children have fallen asleep.”
Then the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم came. Drops of water were falling from his head and he said:
لولا أن أشق على أمتي أو على الناس لأمرتهم بالصلاة هذه الساعة
“If I did not consider it burdensome for my Ummah, I would have commanded them to pray at this time.”
Prioritizing Dinner Over Isha Prayer
① It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
إذا أقيمت الصلاة و حضر العشاء فابدؤوا به قبل صلاة المغرب ، ولا تعجلوا على عشائكم
“When the call for prayer (Iqamah) is made and dinner is also served, then start it before Maghrib prayer. And do not hasten for Isha prayer.”
② It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
إذا وضع عشاء أحدكم و أقيمت الصلاة فابدؤوا بالعشاء ، ولا يعجل حتى يفرغ منه
“When any one of you is served dinner and the call for prayer (Iqamah) is made, then eat first, do not hurry until you finish it.”
Sayyiduna Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما used to do the same; if dinner was served to him and the prayer was established, he would not come for the prayer until he finished eating, even though he was listening to the Imam’s recitation.
Prohibition of Calling Isha Prayer ‘Atamah’
① Sayyiduna Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما narrates, I heard the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم say:
لا تغلبنكم الأعراب على اسم صلاتكم ألا إنها العشاء وهم يعتمون بالإبل
“Do not let the villagers overpower you in the name of your Isha prayer. Listen! Its name is Isha, and it is the time when camels are milked.”
② Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه narrates, the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
اسم صلاتكم العشاء فإنها فى كتاب الله العشاء فإنها تعتم بحلاب الإبل
“The name of your prayer is Isha because in the Book of Allah it is called Isha, and it is called ‘Atmah’ due to the milking of camels at that time.”
