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There is disagreement over which prayer is the middle prayer. Some say it is the dawn prayer; this is Mālik’s position. His evidence is that two nighttime prayers precede it and two daytime prayers follow it. It thus stands between them, occupying a time of its own that it shares with no other prayer. Moreover, people frequently neglect it because they sleep through it and find themselves unable to rise for it. For this reason, its observance was particularly emphasized.

Others say it is the afternoon prayer. This is the view of most transmitters, including al-Shāfiʿī and Abū Hanīfah. It is related that, on the Day of the Trench, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “They distracted us from the middle prayer, the afternoon prayer. May Allah fill their bellies and graves with fire”—or words to that effect spoken by the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. This is also the prayer from which Allah’s prophet Solomon, peace be upon him, was distracted until the sun disappeared behind the veil. Allah, Blessed and Exalted, says:

“Indeed, he was ever turning to Allah.” [Sād: 17]

“When the well-bred horses, standing poised, were displayed before him in the afternoon.” [Sād: 31]

The passage continues through to His words:

“Then he began to stroke their legs and necks.” [Sād: 33]

Those who hold this view explain the reading transmitted from ʿĀ’ishah and Hafsah, “and the afternoon prayer,” with the conjunction “and,” as meaning “that is, the afternoon prayer.” They cite Allah’s words, Mighty and Majestic:

“But the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets.” [Al-Ahzāb: 40]

The reading “the afternoon prayer,” without “and” and in apposition to “the middle prayer,” has also been transmitted from both of them.

It has also been said that it is the noon prayer. Those who hold this view have no evidence for it, unless a report from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, can be found on the matter, in which case it should be followed. The claim that it is called the middle prayer because it is performed in the middle of the day is far-fetched. The word “middle” here can bear only one of two meanings: either a prayer situated between its fellow prayers, or a prayer distinguished by excellence, as when someone says, “So-and-so is the middlemost of the people,” meaning the best of them. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says:

“Thus We have made you a middle nation.” [Al-Baqarah: 143]

That is, a nation of the best and most just people. He also says:

“The most moderate among them said” [Al-Qalam: 28]

—that is, the most just and best of them—

“Did I not say to you, ‘Why do you not glorify Allah?’” [Al-Qalam: 28]