Question: 117751 (from islamqa.info)
In my family, my brothers usually delay the Isha Salah until the second third of the night. So, is it obligatory for me to pray it at its earliest prescribed time by myself, or should I wait for them so that we may pray in Jama’ah (congregation)?
I also request you to inform me about the importance and virtue of performing the Salah at its earliest prescribed time, and what will be the difference on the Day of Resurrection in the status of two individuals, one of whom used to pray at the earliest time, and the other used to delay the Salah to its last prescribed time?
Answer: All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed-
The Virtue of Performing Salah at its Earliest Prescribed Time
Regarding the virtue of performing Salah at its earliest prescribed time, it has been reported by Al-Bukhari (527) and Muslim (85) from ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (Radi Allahu’ Anhu) , who said: I asked the Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam): “Which deed is most beloved to Allah?” He (Salallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: “Salah performed at its [earliest] prescribed time.” I asked: “Then which?” He said: “Then, kindness to parents.” I asked: “Then which?” He said: “Then, Jihad in the cause of Allah.”
And Abu Dawud (426) narrated from Umm Farwah (Radi Allahu ‘Anha) that she said: The Messenger of Allah was asked: “Which deeds are most excellent?” He replied: “Salah performed at the beginning of its prescribed time.” This Hadith was declared to be Sahih by Al-Albani in Sahih Abi Dawud.
Exceptional Cases for Delaying the Salah
Two cases are an exception from this:
First: Al-Ibrad with the Dhuhr prayer – meaning, delaying it during intense heat until the weather cools down. This is due to the saying of the Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam): “When the heat becomes severe, then delay the Salah until it becomes cooler, for indeed, the severity of the heat is from the breath of Jahannam (Hellfire).” [Narrated by Al-Bukhari (537) and Muslim (615)].
Second: Delaying the Isha Salah until the first third of the night for one who is praying alone, or for the congregation if it does not cause them hardship. This is based on what Abu Hurayrah narrated, saying: The Messenger of Allah (Salallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: “Were it not that I would impose hardship on my Ummah, I would have commanded them to delay the Isha Salah until the first third of the night, or its midpoint.” [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi (167)].
And from ‘Aishah, who said: The Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) delayed (literally: darkened, a’tama) the Isha Salah one night – meaning, he postponed the Isha Salah until the darkness of the night became intense – until a considerable part of the night had passed and the people in the Masjid had fallen asleep. Then he (Salallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) came out and prayed, and then said: “Indeed, this would be its [ideal] time, were it not that I would impose hardship on my Ummah.” [Narrated by Muslim (638)].
Time of ‘Ishā’ Prayer
The time for ‘Ishā’ extends until midnight, and it is not permissible to delay it beyond that, due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): “And the time for the ‘Ishā’ prayer is until midnight.” Narrated by Muslim (612).
Midnight is calculated by knowing the time between sunset and the break of dawn, and dividing it by two. And the first third (of the night) is known by dividing it by three.
Ruling on The Congregational Prayer and its Priority in the Mosque
Congregational prayer is obligatory in the mosques for able-bodied men, according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions, due to numerous evidences. Among them is what Abū Dāwūd (551) and Ibn Mājah (793) narrated – and the wording is his – and Ibn Ḥibbān narrated in his Ṣaḥīḥ from Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with them both), he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever hears the call (to prayer) and does not come to it, then there is no prayer for him except with an excuse.” And the Ḥadīth was narrated by Al-Ḥākim, who said: It is authentic according to the conditions of the two Shaykhs (Al-Bukhārī and Muslim), and Adh-Dhahabī (may Allah have mercy on him) did not comment on it. Al-Albānī (may Allah have mercy on him) said in Al-Irwā’ (551): And it is as he (Al-Ḥākim) said. And Al-Ḥāfiẓ (Ibn Ḥajar) (may Allah have mercy on him) authenticated it in At-Talkhīṣ. Ibn Mājah and Al-Ḥākim (narrated it).
The Recommended Delay of ‘Ishā’ Prayer and its Conditions
And upon you (this applies): It is not permissible for you or your brothers to stay away from the congregational prayer in the mosque without an excuse. And attending the ‘Ishā’ prayer with the congregation in the mosque takes precedence over the benefit of delaying it if you pray it in the house; because that (congregational prayer) is obligatory, and this (delaying it) is recommended.
And if the mosque is far from you such that you do not hear the voice of the Mu’adhdhin (caller to prayer), then there is no harm in your prayer in the house at that time. And it is recommended to delay the ‘Ishā’ prayer until after the first third of the night, unless this delay involves hardship, or it is feared that it would be a cause for neglecting the prayer or becoming lazy about it. In that case, it is to be prayed at the beginning of its time.
And Allah knows best.
(Translated by Mohammed bin Thajammul Hussain Manna.)
Saheehus-Seerah 