only if those for whom it is to be performed have not yet gathered.
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Should he notice that the worshippers have already assembled for the ʿIshāʾ prayer, he ought to lead it at the very beginning of its time, in deference to their comfort and so as not to burden them with waiting during their usual period of rest.
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The recommendation to delay applies to a single congregation praying in one place and to women performing the prayer in their homes.
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It is disliked to sleep before ʿIshāʾ, lest the sleeper fall into a deep slumber and miss the prayer outright or miss its optimal time.
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It is likewise disliked to engage in conversation after ʿIshāʾ, for that may postpone sleep and make it difficult to rise for night worship or for the dawn prayer—unless one has an excuse such as hosting a guest, studying sacred knowledge, or doing work that benefits the Muslim community.
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It is recommended to perform the Fajr prayer early, entering it while it is still dark (ghalas), when the night’s darkness is mixed with the first faint light of dawn; for with a lengthy recitation the prayer concludes while people can still recognise one another.
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Ibn Daqīq al-ʿĪd said: congregational prayer is superior to praying at the very first moment the time enters.
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It is recommended to lengthen the recitation in the Fajr prayer. This is the intent of Allah’s words: “and recite the Qur’an at dawn, for the recitation at dawn is witnessed” (17:78). In practice the recitation is estimated at around sixty verses, and up to one hundred verses.
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It is commendable to take the condition of the followers into account: not delaying them by beginning the prayer late or making them wait for long periods, and by making the prayer light without omitting any of its obligatory or recommended parts. The standard for this is the Prophet’s ﷺ guidance to Muʿādh ibn Jabal.
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The mosques in the Prophetic era lacked artificial lighting and were architecturally simple, yet they shone with faith, prayer, and worship. Allah the Exalted says: “Only those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish the prayer, give the zakāh, and fear none but Allah maintain the mosques of Allah” (9:18).