its time begins. Ibn Mas‘ud asked him, “Which deed is most beloved to Allah?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, replied, “Prayer at its proper time” (1)—that is, from the moment its time begins. Some scholars have said that the meaning of his words, “at its proper time,” is the time at which the Law requires it to be performed, whether that is at the beginning or the end of its time (2). This is correct, but performing it early is preferable unless there is evidence indicating that delaying it is more virtuous.

Third: it is quicker in discharging one’s obligation, for a person does not know what may happen to him. At the beginning of the time, he may be energetic and able, and worship may be easy for him; then he may fall ill, making the prayer difficult for him, or he may even die. Thus, performing it early is quicker in discharging one’s obligation, and whatever is quicker in discharging one’s obligation is more deserving.

Thus, the virtue of performing it early is established by both textual and rational evidence.

His statement, “except in extreme heat”: in extreme heat, it is preferable to delay it until the heat subsides, for this is authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, in his words: “When the heat becomes intense, delay the prayer until it cools, for the intense heat is from the scorching heat of Hell” (3). The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was also on a journey when the caller to prayer wished to give the call to prayer, and he said, “Wait until it cools.”