Abu Dawud

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
Fayh Jahannam:
The spreading and diffusion of Hellfire’s heat and its boiling over.

Benefits and Issues:
Maulana Manzoor Ahmad Nomani rahimahullah has written: In this world, what we see and feel has some apparent causes, which we ourselves also understand and know, and there are some hidden causes which are beyond the reach of our perception and understanding. The Prophets alayhimussalam sometimes indicate towards these. In this hadith, where it is stated that the intensity of heat is due to the boiling over of the fire of Hell, this is of the same category. The apparent cause of the intensity of heat is the sun, and every person understands this and no one can deny it. But in the unseen realm and the world of the hidden, it is also connected to the fire of Hell, and this is among those realities which can only be known through the Prophets alayhimussalam.

1:
That is, wait a little until it cools down, then perform the prayer.
From this hadith, it is understood that in the summer season, the Zuhr (noon) prayer should be performed with some delay. Regarding the extent of this delay, there is a narration in Abu Dawud and Nasa’i that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would delay the Zuhr prayer in the summer until the shadow would reach from three to five steps.
However, Allamah Khattabi has stated that this is not a universal rule; rather, its calculation will also differ according to the longitude and latitude of the land.
In any case, it is recommended (mustahabb) to perform the Zuhr prayer with some delay in the summer season.
This is the opinion of the majority (jumhur).

2:
It is more correct to interpret this according to its real and apparent meaning, because in the narration of the Sahihayn, it is mentioned that the Fire of Hell (Jahannam) complained to the Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, that some of its parts had consumed others due to the intensity of heat and suffocation. So the Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, permitted it to take two breaths: one in the winter and one in the summer.
In the winter, it inhales, and in the summer, it exhales.

501. Commentary:

➊ Is delaying the Zuhr prayer during intense heat due to necessity or is it recommended? There is a difference of opinion on this. Imam Shafi’i rahimahullah holds that if people do not face hardship in coming and going or in performing the prayer—for example, if people are already gathered and the place of prayer is shaded—then it is better to perform the prayer at its earliest time. If the worshippers face hardship, then the prayer can be delayed. Some scholars, however, are of the view that the time of intense heat is disliked (makruh) due to its resemblance to Hellfire (Jahannam), and therefore, prayer should not be performed at that time and should be delayed. In light of other evidences, the first position is supported. Hafiz Ibn Hajar rahimahullah has also considered this to be the most apparent (azhar) view. Since in winter there is no such intensity and no hardship is felt, it is recommended to perform the prayer early. Imam Shafi’i rahimahullah has given precedence to the underlying reason (‘illah).

➋ “The boiling of Hellfire (Jahannam)”—many scholars have taken this in its literal sense, that the heat is connected to Hellfire. When Hellfire boils, the heat increases, and this is not far-fetched. Taking the apparent meaning of the words is better. The entire system of the world is based on unseen supports. It is possible that the sun has some connection with Hellfire. However, according to some, if this is taken as a metaphor, then it is an excellent example of eloquence in speech; that is, the intensity of heat is a painful thing, like the blaze of Hellfire. For Muslims, the most delightful thing is Paradise (Jannah), and the most painful and abhorrent thing is Hellfire (Jahannam). Therefore, beneficial, good, and delightful things are attributed to Paradise, and painful, harmful, and abhorrent things are attributed to Hellfire. The same applies to attributions to angels and Satan—the purpose is only resemblance and mental attention, not the apparent words. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was the most eloquent of mankind. His speech was the highest example of similes, metaphors, and allusions. Therefore, it is not far-fetched that this statement is also an example of eloquent metaphor. And Allah knows best.

➌ The existence of Paradise (Jannah) and Hellfire (Jahannam) is real and present.

Commentary:
(1)
The wisdom in delaying the prayer during intense heat is that the severity of the heat becomes an obstacle to concentration and humility (khushu‘) in prayer. Therefore, when the heat subsides, the prayer can be performed with greater attention. However, this delay should not be excessive.

(2)
The intensity of heat has been attributed to the steam (breath) of Hellfire (Jahannam). Some scholars have interpreted this as a metaphor or figurative expression, but it is better to understand it as a reality, because some causes of apparent circumstances are known to us, while there are other causes whose connection is with the unseen world (‘alam al-ghayb), such as: angels, Paradise (Jannah), or Hellfire (Jahannam). After believing in the unseen, the relation of some of its matters to the affairs of the visible world does not present any problem.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
Hellfire (Jahannam) complained to its Lord, saying: “O my Lord, one part of me is consuming another part (my heat is becoming unbearable even for myself).” So Allah, the Exalted, allowed it two breaths: one breath in the winter season and one breath in the summer season. The most intense heat (wave) or the most intense cold (wave) that you experience is from this. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Beginning of Creation, Chapter: The Description of the Fire and That It Is Created, Hadith: 3260; and Sahih Muslim, Book of Mosques, Chapter: The Recommendation to Delay the Zuhr Prayer in Intense Heat for One Who Goes to Congregation and Is Affected by the Heat on His Way, Hadith: 618)

Benefit:

The One who is capable of granting the power of speech to other creatures, certainly He has also bestowed the ability to speak upon Hell. The meaning of Hellfire "devouring one another" is that it has become intermingled, and the part which is relatively more intensely hot and fierce has prevailed over the other parts of the fire.

Benefit:

From the ahadith of this chapter, Imam Malik rahimahullah is alluding to the issue stated in the title: that when there is an instruction to delay the prayer even after the sun has passed its zenith, then during the very middle of the day, when the heat is at its peak, one should not perform the prayer.

In reality, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam forbade performing prayer at five times:

➊ When the sun is rising.

➋ When the sun is setting, because the sun rises and sets between the two horns of Shaytan (i.e., at these two times Shaytan stands in front of the sun so that those whom he misleads into worshipping the sun, their prostration, etc., is directed not to the sun but to Shaytan himself), and (the reason for the prohibition of prayer at these two times is resemblance to the disbelievers). The Prophetic statement is: «وَحِينَئِذٍ يَسْجُدُ لَهَا الْكُفَّارُ» "And at that time, the disbelievers who worship the sun are prostrating to it."

➌ At the very middle of the day, at that time Hellfire is being kindled. [صحيح مسلم: 832]

➍ From after the Fajr prayer until sunrise.

➎ From after the Asr prayer until sunset.

In the first three times, it is prohibited to begin any prayer, but in the last two times, it is permissible to perform missed obligatory prayers (qada) and, due to certain circumstances, some voluntary (nafl) prayers.

Hadith Authentication:
[وأخرجه مسلم 617/186، من حديث مالك به]

Jurisprudential Explanation:
➊ "Perform the prayer after it has cooled down"—this command pertains to travel. See [الموطأ حديث : 323، وصحيح بخاري:533]
➋ The breathing of Hell is real and from the matters of the unseen, belief in which is obligatory.
➌ Where there are impediments, they may cause hindrance due to heat or cold.
➍ Allah Ta'ala can cause whomever and whenever He wills to speak, whether it be the earth, the heavens, or Hell itself, because the power of speech and every power is under His control.
➎ Paradise and Hell are both created and presently existent.

Benefit:
In this hadith, the virtue of performing prayer in Masjid al-Haram has been mentioned. The reward for performing prayer in Masjid al-Haram is one hundred thousand times greater than performing prayer in other mosques, and one hundred times greater than in Masjid an-Nabawi.

Benefit:
It is established from this hadith that Hell (Jahannam) is also under the authority of Allah Ta'ala, and it is established from this hadith that, besides human beings, other creatures also supplicate to Allah Ta'ala, and Allah Ta'ala hears their supplications.