🕌 Prohibited Times for Salah and the Guidance of the Prophet ﷺ 🕌
❖ The Significance of Prohibited Times for Salah in Islam
Salah holds immense importance in Islam. However, there are certain specific times during the day when offering prayer is prohibited. It is essential to understand these timings in the light of the clear guidance of the Noble Prophet ﷺ.
❖ Prohibition of Prayer After Fajr and Asr
Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما states:
The Prophet ﷺ prohibited offering prayer after the Fajr prayer until the sun becomes fully visible, and after the Asr prayer until the sun has completely set.
(Bukhari, Mawaqeet al-Salah, Chapter: The prayer of travellers after Fajr: 185; Muslim: 628)
❖ Strict Prohibition During Three Specific Times
Sayyiduna Uqbah bin Amir رضي الله عنه narrates:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade us from offering prayer and burying the deceased at three times:
➊ When the sun is rising until it becomes high
➋ Exactly at midday
➌ When the sun is setting until it fully sets
(Muslim, Salah, Chapter: The times in which Salah is prohibited: 138)
❖ Prohibition of Salah During Sunrise and Sunset
Sayyiduna Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما reports:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
❝Do not offer prayer at the time of sunrise or sunset, for the sun rises and sets between the horns of Shaytan.❞
(Bukhari: 285; Muslim: 828)
❖ Clarification Regarding Voluntary Prayers After Asr
Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه narrates:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
❝Do not offer prayer after Asr, unless the sun is still high.❞
(Abu Dawood, Al-Tatawwu’, Chapter: Concession when the sun is high, Hadith 4721; Nasa’i, Hadith 475)
(This Hadith has been authenticated by Ibn Khuzaymah, Ibn Hibban, Ibn Hazm, and Hafiz Ibn Hajar)
This Hadith indicates that the prohibition of prayer after Asr is not absolute, and under certain circumstances, it is permissible.
❖ The Prophet ﷺ Offering Voluntary Prayers After Asr
Kuraib, the freed slave of Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما, narrates:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ offered two Rak’ahs after Asr. When asked about the reason, he replied:
❝The tribe of Abdul Qais had come to me (to learn about religion), and they kept me from offering the two Sunnah Rak’ahs after Dhuhr. These are the same two Rak’ahs.❞
(Bukhari, Al-Sahw, Chapter: If one speaks while in Salah and gestures, 3321; Muslim: 438)
❖ Juristic Opinions and the Practice of the Companions
Imam Shafi’i رحمه الله, based on this Hadith, considers it permissible to offer Tahiyyat al-Masjid or Tahiyyat al-Wudu even after Fajr and Asr.
Imam Qudamah رحمه الله cited this as evidence for the permissibility of making up missed Sunnah prayers, viewing the prohibition after Asr as mild.
Ibn Hazm رحمه الله has reported from several Companions, including the Rightly Guided Caliphs, that they used to offer two Rak’ahs after Asr.
❖ The Regular Practice of the Prophet ﷺ
Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha رضي الله عنها narrates:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ never abandoned two Rak’ahs before Fajr and two Rak’ahs after Asr.
(Silsilah al-Ahadith al-Sahihah by Al-Albani: 0292)
❖ Prohibition of Voluntary Prayers After the Emergence of Fajr
The prohibition of voluntary prayers begins after the appearance of Fajr, except for the two Rak’ahs of Sunnah of Fajr, which are allowed. All other voluntary prayers are forbidden.
Yasar, the servant of Sayyiduna Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما, reports:
Sayyiduna Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما saw me offering voluntary prayer after Fajr had appeared and said:
“O Yasar! We used to offer prayer like this when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came and said:
❝Let those who are present here inform others that after the appearance of Fajr, no prayer is to be offered except for the two Rak’ahs (of Sunnah).❞**
(Abu Dawood, Al-Tatawwu’, Chapter: Concession when the sun is high: 8721)
