Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

It is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Jibreel led me in prayer twice at the House of Allah. When the twilight disappeared, he led me in the ‘Isha prayer. And on the next day, he led me in the ‘Isha prayer at the first third of the night and said: This is the time (of prayer) of the Prophets before you. And the time (for ‘Isha) is between these two (specified) times.

Abu Bakr bin Abu Musa narrates from his father that a questioner came to the service of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and asked about the timings of the prayers. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not give him any answer. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered Bilal, so he led the prayer of ‘Isha at the time of the setting of the twilight. Then, on the next day, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed the ‘Isha prayer at one-third of the night. Then he said, "Where is the one who asked about the timings?" (The time for ‘Isha) is between these two (specified) times.

Hazrat Husain bin Basheer narrates from his father that I and Muhammad bin Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) entered upon Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him). We asked him: Tell us how the prayer was performed with the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)? He said: The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) led us in the Isha prayer when the twilight had disappeared. Then, on the next day, the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) led us in the Isha prayer after one third of the night had passed.

Hazrat Safiyyah bint Abi Ubaid narrates that Umar bin Khattab wrote about the times of prayer in a letter to the commanders of the armies. He said: Perform the Isha prayer when the twilight disappears. But if you are occupied with something, then (the time) is between that and one-third of the night, and do not make yourselves appear busy in regard to the right of prayer. Whoever sleeps after this, then may Allah not grant sleep to his eyes. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said this three times.

It is narrated from Ibrahim. He says that the time for Isha is until a quarter of the night. And (Imam) Abu Hanifa's opinion is mentioned that: the time for Isha is until half of the night.