❖ Can ‘Isha Prayer Be Offered After Midnight?
Source: Fatawa Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri❖ Question:
Is it permissible to offer the ‘Isha prayer after midnight (نصف رات)?
❖ Answer:
The preferred (مختار) time for ‘Isha prayer ends at midnight.
However, the permissible time continues until Fajr, meaning that if someone misses the preferred time but offers ‘Isha before Fajr, the prayer is still valid — though delaying it without excuse is blameworthy.
Evidence from Hadith:
❀ Abu Qatadah al-Ansari (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Negligence occurs only when one does not pray a Salah until the time for the next Salah begins."
(Sahih Muslim: 681)
This Hadith shows that the time for ‘Isha extends until the beginning of Fajr, and a person is only considered negligent if he misses it until the next prayer time (i.e., Fajr). Consensus of the Scholars:
❀ Imam Ibn Abi al-‘Izz al-Hanafi (رحمه الله) stated:
"The Companions and the Tabi‘in unanimously agreed that if a menstruating woman becomes pure before true Fajr (second dawn), then she is obliged to make up the ‘Isha prayer. They differed regarding Maghrib.
Had the time for ‘Isha not still been valid, it would not have been obligatory for her to offer it."
(Al-Tanbih ‘ala Mushkilat al-Hidayah, 1/458)❀ Imam al-Zayla‘i al-Hanafi (رحمه الله) stated:
"There is a consensus among the Salaf (early scholars) that the time for ‘Isha continues until the appearance of Fajr."
(Tabyin al-Haqa’iq, 1/81; also see Durr al-Hukkam by Mulla Khusraw, 1/51) Statement of Companion:
❀ Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) was asked:
"What is the definition of negligence in offering the ‘Isha prayer?"
He replied:
"When Fajr rises (and ‘Isha has not been prayed)."
(Sharh Ma‘ani al-Athar by al-Tahawi, 1/159) – Authentic chain
This clarifies that delaying ‘Isha beyond midnight without excuse is a form of negligence, but the time does not end until Fajr.❖ Summary of Ruling:
✔ Preferred time (وقتِ مختار): From the disappearance of twilight until midnight.
✔ Permissible time (وقتِ جائز): From midnight until Fajr — valid but not ideal.
✔ Deliberately delaying ‘Isha after midnight without excuse is discouraged (مکروہ) and considered negligence.
✔ However, offering ‘Isha before Fajr still counts, and there is consensus (Ijma‘) on this.
✔ Key Point:
Offering ‘Isha after midnight is valid, but one should not intentionally delay it without excuse. Midnight is the end of the optimal time, and Fajr is the ultimate cutoff.