Hence the prayer becomes obligatory only once its appointed time has begun, as Allah the Exalted says: “Establish the prayer at the decline of the sun” (Q 17:78). The scholars are unanimously agreed that, as a rule, it is superior to perform the prayer at the very beginning of its time, in light of this verse and of His words, “So vie with one another in good works” (Q 2:148); “Hasten toward forgiveness from your Lord” (Q 3:133); and, “The foremost, the foremost—those are the ones brought near” (Q 56:10-11).

In the two Ṣaḥīḥs it is reported that the Prophet was asked, “Which deed is dearest to Allah?” He replied, “The prayer at its (appointed) time.” Allah also says, “Guard strictly the prayers” (Q 2:238), and part of guarding them is to offer them at the onset of their time.

The obligatory prayers are five each day and night. For every one of them Allah has chosen a time perfectly suited to the circumstances of His servants, enabling them to observe the prayers without being detained from their other affairs. On the contrary, the prayers assist them in those pursuits and expiate the sins they incur. The Prophet likened them to a flowing river in which a person bathes five times a day, leaving no trace of dirt upon him.