Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that I have not seen anyone performing the Zuhr prayer more quickly than the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), neither Abu Bakr nor Umar.

Hazrat Abu Usman says that Hazrat Umar used to lead the Zuhr prayer after the decline of the sun.

Hazrat Masruq says that Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) led us in the Zuhr prayer after the decline of the sun and said, "By Him besides whom there is no one worthy of worship, this is the time of this prayer."

Hazrat Masruq narrates that when the sun declined, Hazrat Abu Musa came and said, "Where is your Imam? This is the time for this prayer." Meanwhile, Hazrat Abdullah came quickly and led the Zuhr prayer.

Hazrat Abu Minhal says that I went with my father to Hazrat Abu Barzah. My father said to him, "Tell us how the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to perform the obligatory prayers?" He replied that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to perform the Zuhr prayer when the sun had declined.

Hazrat Umm Salamah narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to perform the Zuhr prayer earlier than you do, and you delay the Asr prayer more than the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did.

Hazrat Habib bin Shahab narrates from his father that I asked Hazrat Abu Hurairah about the time of Zuhr, so he said: When the sun declines at midday and the shadow becomes equal to the strap, then the time for Zuhr has begun.

Hazrat Maymun bin Mehran says that Hazrat Suwaid bin Ghaflah used to perform the Zuhr prayer as soon as the sun declined. Hajjaj sent him a message saying that he should not pray before them. Hazrat Suwaid replied that he had performed the prayer in this manner with Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umar. He said that he preferred death over abandoning this practice.

Hazrat Abu Al-Bakhtari narrates that during the summer, after performing the Zuhr prayer, Hazrat Umar would go towards Quba, and there the people would still be performing the Zuhr prayer.

Hazrat Jabir bin Samurah narrates that Hazrat Bilal used to call the Adhan after the decline of the sun.

Hazrat Khabbab narrates that we complained to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that it is difficult to pray in intense heat, but the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not accept our complaint.

Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that I performed the Zuhr prayer with the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Due to the intense heat, I would pick up a handful of pebbles and hold them first in one palm and then in the other so that they would cool down, then I would place them at the spot of my forehead when prostrating.

Ibrahim narrates that we used to perform the Zuhr prayer with Hazrat Alqamah; sometimes we would find shade in which we would sit, and sometimes we would not find any shade to sit in.

Khashaf bin Malik says that Abdullah led us in the Zuhr prayer, at that time due to intense heat, locusts were jumping here and there.

Hazrat Abu Al-Anbas says that I asked my father, "Have you offered prayer with Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)? Tell me, how did he perform the Zuhr prayer?" He replied that he used to offer the Zuhr prayer as soon as the sun declined.

Hazrat Husain bin Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that I asked Hazrat Ja'far about the time of Zuhr prayer, so he replied: "when the sun passes its zenith." Then he said: "Listen carefully, it is better for a person to delay the Zuhr prayer until the time of Asr prayer begins than to pray Zuhr before the sun has passed its zenith."