◈ Virtue of Offering Salah at Its Earliest Time
✿ The Prophet ﷺ said:“Offering Salah at its earliest time is more virtuous.”
(Bayhaqi: 434)
◈ Prohibited Times for Voluntary Prayers (Nawafil)
✿ The Prophet ﷺ prohibited offering voluntary prayers:- After Fajr until sunrise
- After ‘Asr until sunset
✿ During the zenith (solar noon), it is also forbidden to pray.
(Sahih Muslim: 831)
◈ Companions’ Practice Regarding Makruh Times
✿ Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (RA), after performing Tawaf post-Fajr, would not pray two rak‘ahs at Maqam Ibrahim. He would simply exit the Haram.✿ Saib ibn Yazid (RA) saw ‘Umar ibn Khattab (RA) hitting Mukundar (RA) for praying Nawafil after ‘Asr, showing the strictness in avoiding this practice.
(Muwatta Imam Malik – Chapter: Prohibition of Salah)
✿ Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) would perform Tawaf after ‘Asr and retreat to his private chamber. It is unclear whether he prayed two rak‘ahs or not afterward.
(Muwatta Imam Malik)
✿ Imam Malik narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (RA) once missed his two Sunnahs of Fajr, and he offered them after the sun had risen.
(Muwatta Imam Malik)