consummated it, nor any man who has built a house but has not raised its roof (1), nor any man who has bought sheep—or pregnant she-camels—and is awaiting (2) their delivery.’

He said: “They went on the expedition, and he approached the town, eventually offering the afternoon prayer nearby. He said to the sun: ‘You are under command, and I too am under command. O Allah, hold it back for me a little while.’ So it was held back for him until Allah granted him victory”—and so on in the hadith (3).

If it is said: “This community is superior to the Children of Israel. If the sun was brought back for Joshua, what prevents it from being brought back for the virtuous members of this community?”

The answer is: The sun was not brought back for Joshua; rather, its setting was delayed, and the day was prolonged for him. This might not be apparent to people, for the lengthening or shortening of a day is not perceived. We know that the sun stood still for Joshua only through the report of the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

Moreover, nothing prevents such a prolongation (4); had Allah willed, He would have done so. Joshua, however, needed this, because fighting was forbidden to him after sunset, owing to Allah’s prohibition upon them of work on the night preceding the Sabbath and on the Sabbath itself. As for Muhammad’s community, they have no need of this and derive no benefit from it. If someone has missed the afternoon prayer through negligence, his sin is not removed except through repentance; and once he repents, he has no need for