Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

Sayyiduna Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) says that I and my companions who came with me on the boat had camped in the valley of Baqi’ Bathan, while the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was residing in Madinah. Some of us would take turns every day to go to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to perform the ‘Isha prayer with him. On the day when my companions and I went to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), he was occupied with some work, so he delayed the ‘Isha prayer, and the delay was such that (almost) half the night had passed. (Finally) the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came, led the prayer, and after finishing, said to those present: “Wait a little! Rejoice, Allah Almighty has bestowed a favor upon you; there is no one besides you who is praying at this hour.” Or he said: “No one besides you has performed this prayer (at this time).” The narrator does not remember which sentence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said. Sayyiduna Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Upon hearing this statement of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), we returned home happily. In the hadith, the word «اِبهَارَّ» means “to be half,” and the middle of everything is called «بَهرَةٌ». But according to one opinion, «اِبهَارَّ اللَّيلُ» is used when the stars have risen and begun to shine. However, the first meaning is more commonly used.