Taken from: “Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith”, Volume 02
❀ Question:
Is there any Hadith that supports the practice of offering the Zuhr prayer later during summer due to intense heat?
❀ Answer:
✦ Yes, there are authentic narrations in both Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim regarding the recommendation of delaying Zuhr prayer in times of extreme heat.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“When the heat is severe, delay the Zuhr prayer until it becomes cooler.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Mawaqit al-Salah, Bab al-Ibrād bi al-Zuhr fi Shiddat al-Harr; Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Masajid, Bab Istihbab al-Ibrād bi al-Zuhr)
This Hadith instructs that during intense summer heat, one should not perform Zuhr immediately after the sun passes its zenith, but rather delay it slightly to allow the heat to subside, ensuring greater comfort and concentration in prayer.
✿ Wisdom Behind the Instruction:
The recommendation to cool the time of Zuhr prayer stems from compassion and practicality. Praying under intense heat can lead to distraction, discomfort, and potential harm. Islam considers such hardships and allows flexibility in timing for the well-being of the worshipers.
✔ Summary:
① It is Sunnah to delay Zuhr prayer slightly in extreme heat, based on authentic Hadiths.
② This practice is known as “Ibrād bi al-Zuhr” – cooling the Zuhr time.
③ The purpose is to ease difficulty and improve focus in prayer.
Wallāhu Aʿlam.
