Musnad Ahmad

It is narrated from Hazrat Amr bin Abasah (may Allah be pleased with him) that once I presented myself in the court of the Messenger and asked, "O Messenger of Allah! Who has accepted Islam with you?" The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, "Both the free and the slave" (Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Bilal, may Allah be pleased with them). I asked, "O Messenger of Allah! Teach me something from the knowledge Allah has given you. Is there any time that is more virtuous?" The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The last part of the night is the most virtuous; at that time, angels are present and prayers are accepted. When you have offered the Fajr prayer, refrain from offering voluntary prayers until the sun rises. Even when the sun rises, do not pray until the sun has risen high, because when it rises, it rises between the two horns of Satan, and at that time the disbelievers prostrate to it. However, when it has risen to the height of one or two spears, then you may pray, for this is the time when the angels are present, until the shadow of a spear begins to appear; then refrain from prayer, for at that time Hell is kindled. But when the shadow declines, you may pray, for in this prayer too the angels are present, until you have offered the Asr prayer. After the Asr prayer, refrain from offering voluntary prayers until sunset, for it sets between the two horns of Satan, and at that time the disbelievers prostrate to it. When a person performs ablution and washes his hands, the sins of his hands fall away; when he washes his face, the sins of his face fall away; when he washes his arms and wipes his head, the sins of his arms and head fall away; when he washes his feet, the sins of his feet fall away. And when he stands for prayer with complete attention of heart and face, he returns in such a state as if his mother has just given birth to him." Someone asked him, "Did you really hear the Prophet (peace be upon him) say this?" He replied, "If I had not heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say this not once or twice, but twenty times, I would never have narrated it."