This further demonstrates that observing prayer at its appointed time is more emphatically required than observing the fast at its appointed time. Allah Most High says:

“Then they were succeeded by generations who neglected prayer and followed their desires.”

Some of the early generations said: “Neglecting it means delaying it beyond its appointed time. Had they abandoned it altogether, they would have been disbelievers.”

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “After me there will be rulers who delay prayer beyond its appointed time. So perform the prayer at its appointed time, then regard your prayer with them as voluntary.”

Muslim narrated from Abū Dharr, who said: The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “What will you do when you have rulers over you who delay prayer beyond its appointed time and postpone it beyond its appointed time?”

I said: “What, then, do you command me to do?”

He said: “Perform the prayer at its appointed time. Then, if you happen to join them for it, pray, for it will count as a voluntary prayer for you.”

Ubādah ibn al-Sāmit narrated that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “You will have rulers over you whose affairs distract them from performing prayer at its appointed time until its time has passed. So perform the prayer at its appointed time.”

A man asked: “Should I pray with them?”

He said: “Yes, if you wish; regard it as a voluntary prayer.” Narrated by Ahmad and Abū Dāwūd.

It was also narrated by Abd Allāh ibn Masʿūd, who said: The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “What will you do when you have rulers over you who perform prayer outside its appointed time?”

I said: “What do you command me to do if I live to see that, O Messenger of Allah?”

He said: “Perform the prayer at its appointed time, and regard your prayer with them as voluntary.”

For this reason, the scholars agree that if a man is without clothing—for example, in the event of the wreck of