In the two Ṣaḥīḥ collections it is narrated from Ibn ʿUmar and Abū Mūsā that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Your span, compared with the span allotted to the past nations, is only the time between the ʿAṣr Prayer and sunset.
The likeness of you and of the Jews and Christians is that of a man who hired laborers. He said, ‘Who will work for me until midday for one qirāt each?’ So the Jews worked until midday.
He then said, ‘Who will work for me from midday until the ʿAṣr Prayer for one qirāt each?’ The Christians worked from midday until the ʿAṣr Prayer for one qirāt each.
He then said, ‘Who will work for me from the ʿAṣr Prayer until sunset for two qirāts each?’ You are the ones who work from the ʿAṣr Prayer until sunset, and yours shall be the wage twice over.’
The Jews and the Christians became angry and said, ‘We have worked more and been given less,