then it should be performed at the beginning of its time. If delaying it is easy, however, then it is preferable to delay it until the first third of the night.

The evidence for this is the hadith of Abu Barzah, who said: “The Prophet ﷺ liked to delay the night prayer.” (1) In the hadith of Jabir: “If he saw that they had gathered, he performed it early; and if he saw that they were slow in coming, he delayed it.” (2) It is also authentically reported that one night he delayed it until most of the night had passed. Umar came to him and said, “O Messenger of Allah, the women and children have fallen asleep.” [He then came out with water dripping from his head] and said, “This is indeed its proper time, were it not that I would cause hardship to my community.” (3)

These are clear proofs that delaying it until the first third of the night is preferable, provided that this is easy. If he leads the people in prayer, however, it is preferable to take the people into consideration: if they gather, he prays; and if they are late, he delays it, as stated in the hadith of Jabir.

If they are a limited group who are unconcerned whether it is performed early or delayed, then delaying it is preferable. For women praying in their homes, delaying it is preferable if that is easy.

If someone were to ask: Which takes precedence: observing the delay of the prayer until the end of its time, or praying with the congregation? The answer is: praying with the congregation;