❖ Makrūh Times of Prayer and Explanation of the Ḥadīth of “Satan’s Horns”
Source: Fatāwā Rāshidiyyah, p.118
◈ The Objection Raised
Some people object to the ḥadīth:
"Do not pray at the time of sunrise, for it rises between the two horns of Satan."
((فإنها تلطع بين قرنى الشيطان))
They argue:
- Sunrise and sunset occur at different times across the world.
- For example, in Pakistan the sun rises and sets 2–2.5 hours earlier than in Arab lands.
- So, does one single Satan cause the sun to rise between his horns everywhere at the same time?
Thus, they try to reject the authenticity of the ḥadīth.
◈ Response: The Foundation of Faith
Before answering such objections, one essential point must be understood:
- The demand of Islam is complete faith and certainty in everything authentically transmitted from Allah ﷻ and His Messenger ﷺ.
- Whoever denies the sound teachings of Qur’ān and Sunnah is not within Islam.
Allah says:
﴿وَٱلَّذِينَ جَـٰهَدُوا۟ فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا﴾ [العنكبوت: 69]
"Those who strive in Our cause—We will surely guide them to Our ways."
◈ Inner Bias of the Objectors
Those who harbor hatred and prejudice are blinded by it.
The Qur’ān says:
﴿فَإِنَّهَا لَا تَعْمَى الْأَبْصَارُ وَلَـٰكِن تَعْمَى الْقُلُوبُ الَّتِي فِي الصُّدُورِ﴾ [الحج: 46]
"It is not the eyes that are blind, but the hearts within the chests."
◈ Meaning of “Shayṭān” in the Ḥadīth
- The objection arises because people equate “Shayṭān” with Iblīs alone.
- But “Shayṭān” means every rebellious creature—human or jinn—who misguides.
The Qur’ān says:
﴿شَيَاطِينَ الْإِنسِ وَالْجِنِّ﴾ [الأنعام: 112]
"Devils from among humans and jinn."
And:
﴿وَإِذَا خَلَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ شَيَـٰطِينِهِمْ﴾ [البقرة: 14]
"When they are alone with their devils (evil companions)."
◈ Explanation of the Ḥadīth of “Satan’s Horns”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
((فإنها تلطع بين قرنى الشيطان))
"For the sun rises between the horns of Satan."
- The word al-Shayṭān here refers to the specific devils appointed over regions by Iblīs.
- Just as humans all descend from Adam (عليه السلام), the jinn descend from Iblīs—but there are countless shayāṭīn after him.
◈ Iblīs and His Army
- A sound ḥadīth in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim states that Iblīs places his throne upon water and dispatches his troops.
- He honors most the one who causes divorce between husband and wife.
(Muslim, 2813)
This shows Iblīs does not attend everywhere himself but appoints deputies.
◈ Why the Prohibition of Prayer at Sunrise and Sunset?
- Every region has shayāṭīn who appear at sunrise and sunset.
- They stand in such a way that worshippers of the sun appear to be bowing to them.
- The Prophet ﷺ forbade prayer at those times to distinguish Muslims from sun-worshippers.
◈ Meaning of “Horns”
- “Horns” may be literal or metaphorical.
- From afar, the shoulders of a shayṭān may appear like horns with the sun rising or setting between them.
- The image conveys the effect of shayṭān at times of idolatrous worship.
◈ Summary of the Objection
- No ḥadīth says that one Satan is everywhere.
- Each land has its own appointed shayṭān.
- Thus, there is no contradiction with science or observation.
◈ Purpose of the Ḥadīth
- To protect Muslims from imitating idolaters.
- To emphasize that prayer must be free from association with acts of shirk.
◈ Conclusion
- The ḥadīth is sound and in complete harmony with observation.
- Denial of it stems from prejudice, ignorance, or enmity toward the Prophet ﷺ.
- There is no conflict between ḥadīth, Qur’ān, and reality.
