“The Book of Prayer” is book 13 of Al-Kafi, the collection of ash-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni. It holds 927 hadiths — Hadith 4,763–4,812 in the standard numbering. Each is shown below in the original Arabic with an English translation, its full reference, and the grading the hadith scholars gave it where one was recorded. It is long enough that it is split across 19 pages so each one stays quick to load; the parts run in order and are linked at the foot of the page.
1. The compiler of this book, Muhammad ibn Ya’qub al-Kulayni, has said that Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Tsa from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Mu’awiyah ibn Wahab who has said the following: “I asked abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ’What is the best thing through which a servant of Allah may become closer to his Lord that is also most beloved to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious?’ The Imam replied, T do not know anything after knowing (knowing Allah and His religion) more excellent than this prayer. Consider what the pious servant of Allah, Jesus son of Mary has said, “He (the Lord) has advised me to pray and pay Zakat as long as I live.’””
2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn Tsa from Yunus from Harun ibn Kharijah from Zayd al-Shahham who has said the following: “I heard abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, say, ‘The most beloved deed in the sight of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, is Salah (prayer). Prayer is the last item in the wills of the prophets. How nice it is of a man who takes a shower or Wudu’ properly and then moves away where no one can notice his presence when he is in Ruku’ or Sajdah! When a servant of Allah is in Sajdah which he prolongs, Iblis (Satan) will say crying, “Woe is on me, he (this servant of Allah) obeys Him but I disobeyed, he is doing Sajdah but I refused to do so.’””
3. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from al-Washsha’ who has said the following: “I heard al-Rida’, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, say, ’The condition wherein a servant of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, is nearest and closest to Him is in Sajdah. It is because of the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, “Prostrate (do Sajdah) and become close.’””
4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn Tsa from Yunus from Yazid ibn Khalifah who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, say, ‘When a person praying stands up for Salah (prayer), mercy from the horizons of the sky descends upon him as well as from the horizons of earth, angels surround him and one angel says, “Had this person praying known what Salah (prayer) is he would not stop performing Salah (prayer).””’
5. Muhammad ibn al-Hassan has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn Mahbub from abu Hamzah who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘When a believing servant of Allah stands up for Salah (prayer), Allah looks upon him - or he said that Allah turns toward him - as long as he is in his Salah (prayer). At such time, mercy covers him up to the horizons of the sky and angels surround him up to the horizons of the sky. Allah appoints an angel who stands up over his head and says, “O praying person, had you known who is looking at you, to who you are speaking and whispering, you would never turn away or leave this place.’””
6. Abu Dawud has narrated from al-Husayn ibn Sa’id from Muhammad ibn al-Fudayl who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan al-Rida, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Salah (prayer) is a means for every pious person to getting nearer to Allah.’”
7. It is a narration from him (narrator of previous Hadith) by af-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Safwan ibn Yahya from ibn Muskan from Isma’if ibn ‘Ammar from abu Basir who has said the following: “Abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ’Performing an obligatory Salah (prayer) is more virtuous than performing one Hajj. Performing one Hajj is more virtuous than giving in charity one whole house full of gold.’”
8. A group of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Fadalah from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “Abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that once a man passed by the Holy Prophet while he was doing some work around one of his rooms. He asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, can I help you?’ He (the Holy Prophet) replied, ‘If you like, you may do so.’ When the work finished the Messenger of Allah asked, ’Can I do anything for you?’ ’Paradise, 5 the man pleaded. The Messenger of Allah looked into the sky then said, ‘Yes, (paradise is your reward). 5 When he was leaving the Messenger of Allah said, ‘O servant of Allah, you must assist us by prolonging your Sajdah.
9. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan from Hamzah ibn Humran from ‘Ubayd ibn Zurarah from abu ‘Abd Allah, who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Salah (prayer) is like the poles of a tent. If the poles are established then the ropes, pegs and the covering work, but if the poles break, none of the ropes, pegs and covering work.
10. Muhammad ibn Isma’il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Ibrahim ibn ‘Umar al-Yamaniy from those who narrated to him the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘Good deeds eliminate bad deeds 5 (11:116) has said, ‘It is a reference to the Salah (prayer) of a believing person during the night that eliminate his bad deeds he has done during the day.
11. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hafs ibn al-Bakhtariy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that whoever 5 s one Salah (prayer) Allah accepts He does not punish him and whoever 5 s one good deed He accepts He does not punish him. 55
12. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Salmah ibn al-Khattab from al-Husayn ibn Sayf from his father who has said the following: “Narrated to me the one who had heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, say, ‘Whoever performs a Salah (prayer) of two Rak’ah in which he is aware of what he says, when he finishes them no sin remains upon him before Allah.
13ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ عَنِ السَّكُونِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ الْسَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صلّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) الصَّلاَةُ مِيزَانٌ مَنْ وَفَّى اسْتَوْفَى.
13. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah formal-Sakuniy who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Salah (prayer) is a balance. Whoever maintains it balanced receives his part properly balanced.
1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn af-Hajjaj from Aban ibn Taghlib who has said the following: “Once I performed Salah (prayer) with abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, in Muzdalifah (a place in Makkah). When he completed Salah (prayer) he turned to me and said, ‘O Aban, the five times Salah (prayer) every day is obligatory. Those who properly observe the rules about these prayers and perform them in their designated times they, on the Day of Judgment, will come in the presence of Allah with their established covenant before Him, because of which they will be admitted in paradise. Those who ignore the rules about Salah (prayer) and ignore the times designated for them, they will come in the presence of Allah without having any established covenant with Him. He then will decide about them. He may punish or forgive them as He will wish.”’
2. AI-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Ash’ariy has narrated from ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Amir from Ali ibn Mahziyar ibn abu ‘Umayr from ‘Abd al- Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj from Aban ibn Taghlib who has said the following: “Once I performed Maghrib (evening) Salah (prayer) with abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, in Muzdalifah. When he completed, he called for Salah (prayer) and performed al-‘Isha’ (late evening) prayer without any delay between the two prayers (evening and late evening). One year later I performed Salah (prayer) with him. He prayed Maghrib then he stood up for Nafl (optional) Salah (prayer). He performed four Rak‘at, then he said Iqamah (called for Salah (prayer) and prayed al-Tsha prayer (late evening),) and then he turned to me saying, ‘O Aban, these five times Salah (prayers) are obligatory. Those who perform them and do not ignore their designated times, they will come in the presence of Allah, on the Day of Judgment, with an established covenant before Him, because of which they will be admitted in paradise. Those who do not perform them in their designated times and ignore the rules about them, then it will be up to Him. He may forgive them or punish them as He will wish.’”
3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman from Yunus ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “Someone asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, while I was present, ‘What is the rule about a man who is in Salah (prayer) free of negative feelings but then he feels self-importance?’ Imam replied, ‘If in the beginning his intention was only for his Lord, then such feeling does not affect his prayer negatively, he should continue his Salah (prayer) and Satan is humiliated.’”
4. A group of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Fadalah from Husayn ibn ‘Uthman from Sama‘ah from abu Basir who has said the following: “I heard abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, say, ‘Every mistake in Salah (prayer) is dropped thereby except that Allah, the Most High, completes it with optional prayers. The first item of deeds with which one is judged is Salah (prayer). If Salah (prayer) is accepted, other deeds are also accepted. If Salah (prayer) is raised in the beginning of its designated time, it comes to the person prayed it all white and radiant, saying, “You preserved me, may Allah protect you.” If Salah (prayer) is raised in other times without observance of the rules about it Salah (prayer) returns back to the person who has performed it, all black and dark, saying, “You wasted me away, may Allah lay you waste.’”
5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn al-Fudayl who has said the following: “I asked the pious servant of Allah about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘Those who make mistakes in their prayer.’ Imam replied, ‘It means loss of prayer.’”
6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn ’Udhaynah from Zurarah who has said the following: “A man entered the Masjid when the Messenger of Allah was present. He began to perform Salah (prayer) without properly doing Ruku‘ and Sajdah. He (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘He acted like a crow picking up grain from the ground. If he dies with his Salah (prayer) of such condition he dies in a religion other than my religion.’”
7. It is a narration from him (narrator of previous Hadith) by his father from Hammad from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘You must not consider your Salah (prayer) insignificant; the Holy Prophet said when he was about to pass away, “Those who consider their Salah (prayer) insignificant are not of my people, as well as those who drink intoxicating liquor. They will not be able to come to me at the pond of al-Kawthar, no by Allah (they will not be able to do so).””’
8. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Satan continues to be afraid of a believing person as long as he protects his five times daily Salah (prayers), but when he loses them, Satan becomes daring, then he takes him into great sins.’”
9. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Safwan ibn Yahya from al-‘is ibn al-Qasim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘A man may become fifty years old, but Allah has accepted not even one Salah (prayer) from him. What can be more serious than this? By Allah, you may also find someone in your neighborhood who performs Salah (prayer) with you, but is not accepted from him due to his considering it insignificant. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, does not accept anything other than what is good. How then He will accept what he considers insignificant?”’
10. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Hisham ibn Salim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that when a man stands up for Salah (prayer) but considers it insignificant, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, says to His angels, ‘Look at this servant of Mine. It seems as if he thinks someone other than Me is a person in charge of fulfilling his needs. Does he not know that I am the One who fulfills all of his needs by My own hand?”’
11. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad and Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘When a man completes one Salah (prayer) properly, all of his other prayers are accepted; even though they may not be complete. If he loses them, altogether, none of his Salah (prayer) is accepted, and not even his optional or obligatory prayers are counted. Optional Salah (prayer) are accepted only after obligatory prayers are accepted. If one does not perform obligatory prayers, optional prayers are not accepted; they are to complete therewith the shortcomings of the obligatory ones.”
12. It narrated through the same chain of narrators from Hariz from af-Fudayl who has said the following: “I asked abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘Those who are protective of their Salah (prayers)” (23:9). The Imam said, It means obligatory prayer.’ I then asked about, ‘Those who are ever observing their prayer’ (70:23). The Imam said, It means optional prayers.’”
13. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Fadalah ibn Ayyub from Dawud ibn Farqad who has said the following: “I asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the words of Allah, ‘Salah (prayer) was made obligatory in designated times’ (4:105). The Imam replied, It is an established obligation. If you performed earlier or delayed a little, it is not harmful as long as you did not lose them altogether. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, says about a people, “They lost Salah (prayer) and followed their lustful desires so they face deviation” (19:60).’”
14. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from Jamil ibn Darraj from certain persons of his people who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Whoever of the believers preserves his obligatory Salah (prayers) and performs them in time, he is not of the neglectful people.’”
15. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il from abu ’Isma‘il al-Sarraj from ibn Muskan from abu Basir who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan the first, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘When my father was about to pass away he said, “My son, those who consider Salah (prayers) insignificant will not be able to benefit from our intercession.’””
16. Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy from Ja‘far from his father who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Everything has a face. The face of your religion is Salah (prayer), no one of you, therefore, must deface his religion. Everything has a nose. The nose of Salah (prayer) is al-Takbir (saying, “Allah is greater than can be described”).”’
1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa and Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa and Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il from af-Fadl ibn Shadhan all Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about how much of Salah (prayer) Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has made obligatory. He (the Imam) said, ‘During one day and night five Salah (prayer) are made obligatory.’ I then asked, ‘Has He named and explained them in His book?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, Allah, most High has said to His Holy Prophet, “Perform Salah (prayer) after the sun declines to the west, on midday until the darkness of the night.” (17: 78). The sun declines on midday. There are four Salah (prayer) between midday and the darkness of the night. Allah has named, explained and timed them. Darkness of night is in midnight. He, most Blessed, most High has then said, “. . . and the recitation (performing Salah (prayer)) at dawn and recitation at dawn was witnessed (attended by the angels of the day and those of the nights).” These are five Salah (prayers). Allah, most High about this issue has said, “Perform Salah (prayer) on both ends of the day, [which is sunset and morning], and in a part of the night.” (11:116) This is al-Tsha’ Salah (prayer) He, most High has said, “Preserve Salah (prayer) especially the middle Salah (prayer).” (2:239) Middle Salah (prayer) is al- Dhuhr Salah (prayer) which is the first Salah (prayer) the Messenger of Allah performed. It is in the middle of two Salah (prayer) during the day, the morning and al-‘Asr Salah (prayer). In some of the recitations it is said, “Preserve Salawat (prayers) and the middle Salah (prayer).” Middle Salah (prayer) is al-‘Asr Salah (prayer).’ About the words of Allah, “Stand up praying before Allah,” he (the Imam) said, ‘This verse was revealed on Friday when the Messenger of Allah was on a journey. The Messenger of Allah prayed before Allah on Friday and left it in that condition during a journey or when at home. For those at home he added two Rak‘ats. He reduced two Rak‘at which the Holy Prophet, had added on Friday for people when at home, because of the two sermons which a prayer leader delivers. Those who perform Friday prayer without congregation, they perform it four Rak‘at like al-Dhuhr Salah (prayer) in other days.’”
2. Through the chain of his narrators Hammad has narrated from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Of Salah (prayer) Allah has made ten Rak‘at obligatory on His servants. In such Salah (prayer) there are the recitations; thus, conjectures, mistakes in such Salah (prayer) are not acceptable. The Messenger of Allah added seven Rak‘ats in which conjectures, mistakes are dealt with according to certain rules, but there are no recitations in them.’”
3. Through the chain of his narrators Hammad has narrated from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “‘Abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Allah has made Salah (prayer) obligatory. The Messenger of Allah has established ten kinds of traditions in Salah (prayer): Salah (prayer) at home and during a journey. Salah (prayer) due to fear is of three kinds. There is Salah (prayer) because of sun eclipse and moon eclipse. There is Salah (prayer) of the two ‘Id. There is Salah (prayer) for rain and (lastly) Salah (prayer) for a deceased.’”
4. Hammad has narrated from Hariz from Zurarah from who has said the following: “About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘Salah (prayer) in Mawqut (with certain timing) form was written on believers’ abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘it means obligatory.’”
5. Hammad has narrated from Hariz from Zurarah from who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about what is obligatory in Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘Time, al-Tahur (cleansing), facing al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah), paying attention, al-Ruku‘, al-Sujud and praying. The rest are optional in an obligatory duty.’”
6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Salah (prayer) has four thousand limits (rules).”’ “In another Hadith it is said that in Salah (prayer) there are four thousand doors (chapters).”
7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn ’Udhaynah from Zurarah who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘There are ten Rak‘at in Salah (prayer). There are two for al- Dhuhr, two for al-‘Asr, two Rak‘at of Morning, two Rak‘at of al-Maghrib and two Rak‘at of al-‘Isha’ al-Akhirah. In these many of Salah (prayer) conjectures (mistakes) are not acceptable. If one faces conjectures in such Salah (prayer), he performs it again. They are Salah (prayer) which Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, made obligatory on believers in al-Quran. He (Allah) delegated Muhammad, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, and he (the Holy prophet) increased seven Rak‘at. They are of Sunnah and have no recitations. They have Tasbih (Allah is free of all defects), Tahlil, (no one deserves worship except Allah) Takbir (Allah is great beyond description), and prayer. Conjectures in these Rak‘at are (dealt with according to certain rules). The Messenger of Allah increased two Rak‘at for those at home in al- Dhuhr, al-‘Asr, al-‘Isha’, al-Akhirah and one Rak‘at to al-Maghrib for those at home as well as for those on a journey.’”
8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hammad from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Acts of Salah (prayer) fall in three categories; They are Tahur (cleansing), Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees), and Sujud (prostration).”’
1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn ’Udhaynah from Zurarah from who has said the following: “I once was sitting in the presence of abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, and Humran ibn ’A‘yan was also present. Humran asked him (the Imam), ‘What do you say about the words of Zurarah with which I do not agree?’ Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, asked, ‘What are they?’ Humran said, ‘Zurarah says that the time for Salah (prayer) was delegated to the Messenger of Allah. He was the one who determined them.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, asked, ‘What do you (Humran) say about it?’ I (Humran) said, ‘ Jibril came to him (the Holy prophet) on the first day with the first time and on the last day with the last time. Jibril then said, ‘In between there are times for Salah (prayer).’ Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, then said, ‘O Humran, Zurarah says that Jibril came to the Messenger of Allah only to give him an indication. Zurarah is right. Allah left it to Muhammad, O Allah grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, who made the determination. Jibril provided him with an indication about it.’”
2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan ibn ‘Allan from Hammad ibn ‘Isa and from Safwan ibn Yahya from Rib‘i ibn ‘Abd Allah from al-Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Of the things certain ones are of a longer timing and others are of shorter timing. Salah (prayer) is of longer timing. It can be performed earlier and later. Friday Salah (prayer) is of a short timing. On Friday its time is a Sa‘ah which then vanish. The time for al-‘Asr Salah (prayer) on Friday is the time for al-Dhuhr on other days.’”
3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, say, ‘For every Salah (prayer) there are two kinds of timings; the beginning of time is the outstanding one, and no one has the right to call the end of two kinds of timings as a time, without good reason, and for no reason.’”
4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Fadalah ibn Ayyub Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar or ibn Wahab who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘For every Salah (prayer) there are two kinds of timings and the outstanding one is the beginning of time.’”
5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn ’Udhaynah from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once said to abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, of the timing for Salah (prayer), what portion is better? Is it the beginning, the middle or the end of time?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is the beginning of it; the Messenger of Allah has said, “Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, loves of good things the most that which is done earlier.’”
6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Salmah ibn al-Khattab from Ali ibn Sayf ibn ‘Amirah from his father from Qutaybah al-‘A’sha’ who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘The outstanding quality of the beginning of the time for Salah (prayer) is like the outstanding quality of the next life compared to the worldly life.’”
7. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Ishaq from Bakr ibn Muhammad al-Azdiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘The outstanding quality of the beginning of time for Salah (prayer) compared with the end of time for Salah (prayer) is better for a man than his children and belongings.’”
8. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Hammad from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘You must note that the beginning of time always is better, so act faster for the good as much as you can. The most beloved of deeds in the sight of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, is that which a servant continues even if it is very little.’”
9. Ahmad ibn Idris and others have narrated from Muhammad ibn Ahmad from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from his father from Mansur ibn Hazim or others who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said,
1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Yazid ibn Khalifah who has said the following: “I once said to abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, that ’Umar ibn Hanzalah has reported to us from you about timing (for Salah (prayer)). Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, then said, ‘If so, he does not fabricate things to call them to be from us.’ I (the narrator) then said that he quotes your statement. It says, ‘The first Salah (prayer) that Allah made obligatory on His Holy prophet was al-Dhuhr Salah (prayer). Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has said, “Perform Salah (prayer) from the time of declining of the sun toward the west at noontime” (17:78), so when the sun declines toward the west at noontime, there is no other obstacle except your Nafl (optional Salah (prayer)). This time continues until the shadow of an object becomes equal to its length and that is the end of this time. When the shadow of an object becomes equal to its length, it is the time for al-‘Asr Salah (prayer) which continues until the shadow of an object becomes double its length and that is evening.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He has spoken the truth.’”
2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Salmah ibn af-Khattab from Ali ibn Sayf ibn ‘Amirah from his father form ‘Umar ibn Hanzalah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘When the sun declines toward the west at noontime, it is time for al-Dhuhr Salah (prayer) except that there is Nafl (optional Salah (prayer) before al-Dhuhr Salah (prayer). It is up to you to spend a longer time for it or a short one.’”
3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Dharih al-Muharibiy who has narrated the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘When can I perform al-Dhuhr Salah (prayer)?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Perform the eight Rak‘at (the optional Salah (prayer) when the sun declines (toward the west at noontime), then perform al-Dhuhr. Thereafter perform your optional Salah (prayer) for a longer or short time, then perform al-‘Asr Salah (prayer).”’
4. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Ash’ariy has narrated from ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Amir from Ali ibn Mahziyar from Fadalah ibn Ayyub from al-Husayn ibn ‘Uthman from ibn Muskan formal-Harith ibn al-Mughirah and ‘Umar ibn Hanzalah and Mansur ibn Hazim who have said the following: “We would measure the sun in al-Madinah by the yards. Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, said, ‘Allow me to show you a way clearer than this. When the sun declines toward the west at noontime, it is the time for al-Dhuhr Salah (prayer), except for the optional Salah (prayer) before it, which is up to you to make it longer or shorter.’” Sa‘id has narrated from Musa al-Hassan from al-Hassan ibn al-Husayn al-Lu’lu’i from Safwan ibn Yahya from al-Harith ibn al-Mughirah al-Nadriy and ‘Umar ibn Hanzalah: In a similar Hadith it is said, ‘It is up to you to make the optional one light thereafter, or make it longer, thereafter is the time (for al-Dhuhr).”’
Sahih· al-Majlisi
Sunni collections: text from the open hadith-api dataset. Al-Kafi: Arabic text, Muhammad Sarwar's translation and gradings from Thaqalayn.net via the Thaqalayn API. Hadith numbering follows those editions and can differ from a printed copy — check the Arabic against a trusted edition before relying on a reference.
