Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: The heaviest prayers upon the hypocrites are the Fajr and Isha prayers. If they knew what reward lies in Isha and Fajr, they would come crawling on their knees. My heart wishes that I order the prayer to be established, then appoint someone to lead the prayer, then I go with some people to those who do not attend the prayer, and then burn their houses down.

Hazrat Ubayy bin Ka'b narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, once led us in prayer. When he finished the prayer, he noticed that some people were missing from the mosque. Upon this, he said, "Is so-and-so present?" We replied, "Yes." He continued until he had mentioned three men by name. Then he said, "There is no prayer heavier on the hypocrites than the 'Isha and Fajr prayers. If they knew the reward for them, they would come to the mosque even if they had to crawl on their knees."

Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said that when we did not see a person in the Isha or Fajr prayer, we used to think badly of him.

Hazrat Abu Umair bin Anas says that my Ansari uncle narrated to me that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The hypocrites do not come to the 'Isha and Fajr prayers."

Hazrat Ibn Abi Laila reports that Hazrat Abu Darda said during his illness of death, "Will you not lift me up from here?" So the people lifted him up and took him out. Then he said, "Listen carefully and inform those who come after you: Take care of these two prayers: Isha and Fajr. If you knew what is in these two prayers, you would come to them crawling on your knees and elbows."

It is narrated from Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: If people knew what (reward) is in the Isha and Fajr prayers, they would come to the mosque for them even if they had to crawl on their knees.

Hazrat Ibn Abi Umrah Ansari says that I was present in the mosque when Hazrat Usman was sitting in the mosque at the time of the Isha prayer. I also sat with him. Hazrat Usman said that being present for the Fajr prayer is like worshipping the whole night, and being present for the Isha prayer is like worshipping half the night.

Hazrat Umar says that for me, offering the Fajr and Isha prayers in congregation is more beloved than worshipping continuously in the time between them.

Hazrat Umar says that for me, offering the Fajr and Isha prayers in congregation is more beloved than worshipping continuously in the time between them.

Hazrat Yahya bin Abdur Rahman bin Hatib narrates that whenever Hazrat Umar would go to or return from the market, he would pass by Shifa bint Abdullah. One day during Ramadan, he passed by her and asked, "Where is Sulaiman (her son)?" She replied that he was sleeping. Hazrat Umar asked, "Has he performed the Fajr prayer?" His mother replied, "No, he spent the whole night worshipping with the people, then came and slept." Hazrat Umar said, "To perform the morning prayer in congregation is, in my view, better than worshipping the whole night."

Hasan says that for me to perform the Fajr and Isha prayers in congregation is more beloved than that I worship continuously in the time between them.