❖ Obligation of Praying at the Appointed Time
Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
✦ Foundational Evidence for Timely Salah
➊ Hadith of Abu Dharr (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) once said to Abu Dharr (رضي الله عنه):
"What will be your condition when rulers will come who delay or neglect the prayer from its proper time?"
I asked: "What do you command me, O Messenger of Allah?"
He replied:
"وصل الصلاة لوقتها"
"Pray the Salah at its (appointed) time."
And if you get to pray with them, then do so; it will be considered as Nafl for you.
[Muslim 648; Abu Dawood 431; Tirmidhi 176; Nasa’i 2/75; Ibn Majah 1256; Ibn Khuzaymah 1637; Abu ‘Awanah 4/448; Ibn Hibban 1482; ‘Abd al-Razzaq 3780; Bayhaqi 2/301; Musnad Ahmad 5/137]
➋ Hadith of Ali (رضي الله عنه):
The Prophet (ﷺ) said to Ali (رضي الله عنه):
"O Ali, do not delay three things…"
One of them being:
"الصلاة إذا أنت…"
"The prayer when its time arrives…"
[Weak: Al-Dirayah by Ibn Hajar 1/105; Tirmidhi 171; Ibn Majah 1486; Ahmad 1/105]
Shaykh Albani (رحمه الله) declared the meaning authentic, even if the chain is weak.
[Mishkat al-Masabih 605]
➌ Hadith of Anas (رضي الله عنه):
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"This is the prayer of the hypocrite. He remains seated watching the sun until it turns yellow. When it is between the horns of Shaytan, he rises and hastily performs four Rak‘ahs in which he barely remembers Allah."
[Sahih: Abu Dawood 413; Muslim 622; Muwatta 1/220; Tirmidhi 160; Nasa’i 511; ‘Abd al-Razzaq 2080; Bayhaqi 1/444; Ibn Khuzaymah 333; Sharh al-Sunnah 2/29]
❖ Summary of the Rulings
◈ These narrations establish clear and binding evidence that performing Salah at its appointed time is obligatory and superior.
◈ Exceptions:
✔ Isha Prayer: It is preferable to delay, as it was the Prophet's (ﷺ) choice.
✔ Zuhr Prayer: During severe heat, delaying slightly is better.
✦ Unjustified Delay is Prohibited
✔ Delaying any prayer beyond its prescribed time without a valid excuse is unanimously prohibited.
[Al-Sayl al-Jarrar 1/189; Sharh Muslim by Nawawi 3/115; Nayl al-Awtar 1/483; Al-Rawdah al-Nadiyyah 1/208]
✔ Conclusion:
◈ Timely performance of Salah is an individual obligation (فرض عین).
◈ Delaying without excuse is prohibited and blameworthy.
◈ The early part of the time is generally most virtuous, except where authentic Sunnah indicates otherwise (e.g., Isha and Zuhr in specific conditions).
والله أعلم
