And this is from the connecting waw (waaw al-wasl) which we say is only for the meaning of repetition and emphasis, not from the separating waw (waaw al-fasl), since it is impossible that the middle prayer is not among the prayers. Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, said: {حَافِظُواعَلَىالصَّلَوَاتِوَالصَّلَاةِالْوُسْطَى}[البقرة: ٢٣٨] So the middle prayer was included among the prayers which Allah commanded at the beginning of the mention to be maintained, then He said: {وَالصَّلَاةِالْوُسْطَى}[البقرة: ٢٣٨] for the meaning of repetition and emphasis. I have thoroughly discussed this type in the Book of Faith when mentioning the objection of those who objected to us and claimed that Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, has separated between faith and righteous deeds with a waw of initiation in His saying: {وَالَّذِينَآمَنُواوَعَمِلُواالصَّالِحَاتِ}[البقرة: ٨٢]
Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he (peace be upon him) said during the Battle of Ahzab: "May Allah fill the graves and houses of those polytheists with fire, just as they kept us occupied from the middle prayer until the sun had set."
Hadith Referenceصحيح ابن خزيمه / جماع أبواب الأفعال المباحة فى المسجد غير الصلاة وذكر الله / 1335