Source: Hadith of Tirmidhi (Hadith No. 149)
Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام) taught the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ the method and sequence of the prayer times after the night of Mi'raj (Ascension). According to an authentic Hadith from Tirmidhi (Hadith No. 149), Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) narrates that on the morning following the night of Mi'raj, Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام) came to the Prophet ﷺ at the Ka‘bah and instructed him in the five daily prayers over the span of two days.
On the first day, Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام) performed the prayers at the earliest permissible times. On the second day, he performed them at the latest permissible times. This was to teach the Prophet ﷺ both the beginning and end boundaries of each prayer time.
On the first day, Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام) led the Prophet ﷺ in the following sequence:
On the second day, Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام) performed the prayers at their latest permissible times:
After completing the instruction, Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام) said to the Prophet ﷺ:
"O Muhammad! These are the prayer times that were fixed for the Prophets before you. And it is permissible to pray at any time between the two limits taught to you over these two days."
➊ Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام) taught the Prophet ﷺ the prayer times over the span of two days.
➋ On the first day, prayers were taught at their earliest times, and on the second day, at their latest times.
➌ This method clarified both the starting and ending boundaries for each of the five daily prayers.
✿ Instruction of Prayer Times: Guidance from Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام)
Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام) taught the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ the method and sequence of the prayer times after the night of Mi'raj (Ascension). According to an authentic Hadith from Tirmidhi (Hadith No. 149), Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) narrates that on the morning following the night of Mi'raj, Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام) came to the Prophet ﷺ at the Ka‘bah and instructed him in the five daily prayers over the span of two days.
On the first day, Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام) performed the prayers at the earliest permissible times. On the second day, he performed them at the latest permissible times. This was to teach the Prophet ﷺ both the beginning and end boundaries of each prayer time.
➊ Prayer Times on the First Day
On the first day, Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام) led the Prophet ﷺ in the following sequence:
- Dhuhr: When the shadow of an object became equal to the thickness of a sandal strap.
- Asr: When the shadow of everything became equal to its length.
- Maghrib: At sunset, when it becomes time for the fasting person to break the fast.
- Isha: When the twilight (the reddish glow after sunset) disappeared.
- Fajr: When the light of dawn appeared, and it became impermissible for the fasting person to eat.
➋ Prayer Times on the Second Day
On the second day, Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام) performed the prayers at their latest permissible times:
- Dhuhr: When the shadow of everything became equal to its length (i.e., near the time of Asr).
- Asr: When the shadow became twice the length of the object.
- Maghrib: At its fixed time, i.e., immediately after sunset.
- Isha: When one-third of the night had passed.
- Fajr: When the earth was illuminated with light, i.e., after the true dawn.
➌ Guidance of Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام)
After completing the instruction, Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام) said to the Prophet ﷺ:
"O Muhammad! These are the prayer times that were fixed for the Prophets before you. And it is permissible to pray at any time between the two limits taught to you over these two days."
❖ Summary
➊ Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام) taught the Prophet ﷺ the prayer times over the span of two days.
➋ On the first day, prayers were taught at their earliest times, and on the second day, at their latest times.
➌ This method clarified both the starting and ending boundaries for each of the five daily prayers.
