Prayer Section · 7 – The Time for Isha Prayer
Numan ibn Bishr, may Allah be pleased with him, said:
I know the time of Isha prayer better than anyone else.
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, used to pray it when the moon appeared three nights old, at the moment it set. [292]
EXPLANATION
The moon appears from the west immediately after sunset on its first day and disappears as soon as it is seen. On the second day, it appears somewhat higher in the west. On the third day, it appears even higher. It sets within a period of one to two and a half hours. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, prayed Isha prayer, which is called the light of the night, on the third night of the moon’s appearance at the hour it set in the west.
It is narrated from Abdullah ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him:
We spent a night in the mosque, awaiting the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. We did not know whether something detained him or if he had some other excuse.
When a third of the night had passed, or later, he emerged to us from his chamber.
Upon emerging, he said to us: “Are you waiting for Isha’?” He then stated, “If it were not burdensome upon my community, I would offer Isha’ to them at this hour.” After that, he commanded the mu'adhdhin, and the mu'adhdhin announced the call to prayer.
Muadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
One day, we were waiting for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) to go out for Isha’ prayer. He was delayed considerably; some even thought he would not come out at all. We said to one another, "Perhaps he has prayed it at home." While we were in this state of uncertainty, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) emerged. The companions mentioned to him what they had been saying amongst themselves. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) then said to them:
“You have delayed this prayer; you have been given superiority over those who came before you because no community before you ever prayed Isha’.”
Abū Sa’īd al-Hudrī (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
(One day) I prayed the evening prayer together with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him).
(Such that) he did not leave his home for the mosque until half of the night had passed. He then commanded us, “Take your places where you are.” And we took our places.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said:
“Everyone has prayed their prayer and returned to their bed, but you remain waiting for the prayer; you are as if you were in the prayer. If it were not for the weakness of the weak and the illness of the sick, I would have delayed the evening prayer until the middle of the night.”
[294]
**Explanation:**
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) praised the companions for waiting for the evening prayer. He said, “Everyone has prayed their prayer and returned to their bed, but you are waiting for the evening prayer. This wait of yours is not in vain. As long as you wait for the prayer, you will be rewarded as if you were in the prayer.”