Muslim

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
Ṣallā al-bardayn:
The dawn (fajr) and afternoon (‘asr) prayers are performed at cooler times of the day, therefore they have been referred to as "bardayn" (the two cool prayers).

Benefits and Issues:
In these hadiths, glad tidings of being protected from the fire of Hell and entering Paradise have been given merely for being steadfast in the dawn (fajr) and afternoon (‘asr) prayers. This does not mean that there is no harm if one neglects the remaining prayers. Rather, the purpose is that the one who is steadfast and diligent in these two prayers will certainly also be steadfast and protective of the remaining prayers; therefore, there was no need to mention them separately. Or, these glad tidings of Paradise are for those people who believed at a time when the five daily prayers had not yet been made obligatory.

Explanation:
The purpose is that both of these prayers were performed with strict adherence to their prescribed times. Since there is often negligence during these times, they have been mentioned specifically for this reason. The time of the ‘Asr prayer is when people are extremely busy with their work, and the time of the Fajr prayer is when people are in deep sleep; yet, the pious servants of Allah are particularly diligent in observing them. ‘Abdullah bin Qais is the name of Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari radi Allahu anhu. The intent of Imam Bukhari rahimahullah in mentioning this suspended narration (ta‘liq) is to clarify that Abu Bakr bin Abi Musa, who is mentioned in the following narration, is the son of Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari. This suspended narration has been transmitted in a connected form (mawsulan) by Zuhli.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
By the two cool-time prayers are meant the Fajr (dawn) and Asr (afternoon) prayers, because in the hadith of Jarir radi Allahu anhu, there is mention of maintaining the prayers before sunrise and before sunset, and then in Sahih Muslim, Asr and Fajr are explicitly mentioned. These prayers occur at both ends of the day. During their times, the air is very pleasant and the intensity of the heat subsides. Furthermore, one of these times is a period of rest and tranquility, while the other is a time of numerous engagements. Therefore, glad tidings of Paradise have been given for maintaining these prayers, as whoever is steadfast in these times will more easily fulfill his obligations at other times. In another hadith, it is stated that whoever maintains the prayers before sunrise and before sunset will never enter Hellfire. (Sahih Muslim, al-Masajid, Hadith: 1436(634)) In any case, Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah has established the virtue of the Fajr prayer from these ahadith. (Fath al-Bari: 2/71)

(2)
Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah presents two supporting evidences regarding the hadith narrated from Abu Musa al-Ash'ari radi Allahu anhu:
* The first is a suspended narration (ta'liq) from Ibn Raja’, who is a teacher of Imam al-Bukhari. Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Dhuhli has narrated it with a connected chain.
* The second method is from Ishaq ibn Mansur, who is a student of Hibban ibn Hilal.
(Fath al-Bari: 2/71)

(3)
It is narrated from Fadala al-Laythi radi Allahu anhu, who said: I presented myself before the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and accepted Islam. Along with other teachings, he instructed me to perform the five prayers punctually. I said, “At these times I am very busy, so please tell me some comprehensive matters, the adherence to which would suffice.” He said: “Maintain the ‘Asrayn’.” Since this word was not used in our language, I inquired about the meaning of ‘Asrayn’, and he said: “By this are meant the Fajr and Asr prayers.” (Musnad Ahmad: 4/344) This does not mean that there is no need for prayers other than Fajr and Asr, but rather the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam wanted to make him steadfast in such a manner that it would not become burdensome at once and the objective would also be achieved. Therefore, he explained the importance of prayers during times of rest and times of great engagement. When someone maintains the prayers at these times, it becomes easier for him to maintain them at other times. In short, the observance of the “Bardayn” (the two cool-time prayers), which in another narration are called “Asrayn,” is so connected to entering Paradise that by maintaining them, it becomes easier to maintain the other prayers, and thus their importance has been especially emphasized. And Allah knows best.