1105 – On the authority of Maʿqil that al-Nuʿmān ibn Muqarrin (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I witnessed the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: if he did not open the battle at the very start of the day, he would delay combat until the sun had passed its zenith, the winds had begun to blow, and victory had descended.” Reported by Aḥmad and the three compilers, declared authentic by al-Ḥākim, and its basic wording is in al-Bukhārī (1).

—
Grading of the ḥadith:
The ḥadith is ḥasan (sound). It was judged authentic by al-Tirmidhī and al-Ḥākim, who added that it meets their conditions, and its source is found in al-Bukhārī.

Points derived from the ḥadith:
1 – Maʿqil ibn Yasār al-Muzanī: his name is supplied here on the basis of al-Mizzī’s “al-Aṭrāf.” The manuscripts of “Bulūgh al-Marām” differ at this point; some read “ibn” in place of “anna,” producing “on the authority of Maʿqil ibn al-Nuʿmān.” What we have adopted, Allah willing, is the correct wording.

2 – Al-Nuʿmān ibn Muqarrin al-Muzanī was one of Islam’s great commanders and a renowned man of valor. He distinguished himself in the campaigns against the Persians and was martyred during the conquest of Nahāwand, after Allah gladdened his eyes with its capture.

3 – He (may Allah be pleased with him) modeled his conduct on that of the Prophet ﷺ in warfare: he would commence fighting early in the morning, when minds and bodies are fresh after the night’s rest, when the air is cool, and when the blessing of which the Chosen One ﷺ said, “Blessing is found…"