(90 and 93) and by Aḥmad (2/210, 213, 223) through Qatādah, from Abū Ayyūb, from him. Ibn Ḥazm (3/166) and al-Ṭayālisī (297) also transmitted it.
It is recommended to delay it in very hot weather. Anas ibn Mālik said: “Whenever the heat was intense, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would wait until it cooled before performing the prayer, and whenever it was cold he would pray early.” N (87): ʿUbayd Allāh ibn Saʿīd told us; Abū Saʿīd, the client of Banū Hāshim, narrated to us; Khālid ibn Dīnār Abū Khildah narrated; I heard Anas ibn Mālik report the same. This chain is authentic according to al-Bukhārī’s criteria.
The Prophet ﷺ also said, “When the heat becomes severe, postpone the prayer until it cools down, for the intensity of heat is part of the scorching of Hellfire.” (Agreed upon). This is likewise the position of Ibn al-Mubārak, Aḥmad, and Isḥāq.
The same ruling applies whether the worshipper lives far from the mosque or nearby, owing to the hadith of Abū Dharr about delaying the prayer while travelling when they were gathered together. See al-Tirmidhī (296).
- ʿAṣr
The earliest time for ʿAṣr begins when the shadow of every object equals its length. Jābir reported that the Prophet ﷺ was visited by Gabriel, who said, “Rise and pray,” so he prayed Ẓuhr when the sun had passed its zenith. Then Gabriel came for ʿAṣr and said, “Rise and pray,” so he prayed ʿAṣr when the shadow of every object equalled its length—or, he said, when its shadow equalled it. Then he came for Maghrib and said, “Rise and pray,” and he prayed as soon as the sun disappeared. After that he came for ʿIshāʾ and said, “Rise and pray,” so he prayed when the twilight had vanished. Then he came for Fajr and said, “Rise and pray,” and he prayed when the dawn gleamed—or, he said, when the dawn shone brightly. The next day Gabriel returned for Ẓuhr and said, “Rise and pray,” so he prayed Ẓuhr when the shadow of every object equalled its length—