Pray On Time (Hadith No. 501)

Salam,
Bismillah.

Volume 1, Book 10, Number 501:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:

“Once a delegation of ‘Abdul Qais came to Allah’s Apostle and said, “We belong to such and such branch of the tribe of Rab’a and we can only come to you in the sacred months. Order us to do something good so that we may (carry out) take it from you and also invite to it our people whom we have left behind (at home).” The Prophet said, ” I order you to do four things and forbid you from four things. (The first four are as follows):

1. To believe in Allah. (And then he: explained it to them i.e.) to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and (Muhammad) am Allah’s Apostle

2. To offer prayers perfectly (at the stated times)

3. To pay Zakat (obligatory charity)

4. To give me Khumus

(The other four things which are forbidden are as follows):

1. Dubba

2. Hantam

3. Muqaiyat

4. Naqir (all these are utensils used for the preparation of alcoholic drinks).”

Offering praying perfectly or ‘establishing’ the prayer includes praying on time. A Muslim is required to pray five times a day. Not just that, he has to pray on the specified time. For example, Fajr has to be offered before sunrise. Importance of praying on time is emphasized in the Qur’an as well:

إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَّوْقُوتًا

“Verily, As-Salat (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours.” [An-Nisa: 103]

This book, Kitaab Mawaqeet as-Salah, is all about the times of prayers. We will know exactly when to pray which salah, without having to rely on our watches or the adhaan, or even the prayer alarms on our devices. InshaAllah.

Wassalam.