I say: This is a good chain of transmission. Its narrators are known and reliable, apart from Kathir ibn Qarawand. This is how he is listed in al-Tahdhib, where no disagreement is mentioned concerning his father’s name. Al-Tabarani’s narration establishes it, and it is further supported by the fact that Ibn Abi Hatim listed him in his book (3/2/155) as “Kathir ibn Qanbar,” in agreement with al-Tabarani’s narration. He mentioned that, in addition to Yazid ibn Zurayʿ and al-Nadr ibn Shumayl, Ruh ibn ʿUbadah and ʿAli ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAziz narrated from him. Al-Tahdhib instead added: “Yusuf ibn Khalid al-Samti and al-Fadl ibn Sulayman.”

I say: Al-Samti is accused, but all the rest are reliable, and they narrated from him. Ibn Hibban also included him in al-Thiqat. Thus, the agreement of those reliable men in narrating from him gives the heart confidence in citing his hadith as evidence. And Allah knows best.

1371 — “When you have performed the dawn prayer, refrain from prayer until the sun rises—for it rises between the horns of Satan. Once it has risen, then pray, for the prayer is witnessed and accepted, until it stands directly above your head like a spear. When it stands directly above your head, that is the hour in which Hell is stoked and its gates are opened, until it declines from your right eyebrow. Once it has declined from your right eyebrow, then pray, for the prayer is witnessed and accepted until you perform the afternoon prayer. Then refrain from prayer until the sun sets.”

Ahmad (5/312) and al-Hakim (3/518) recorded it through Humayd ibn al-Aswad: al-Dahhak ibn ʿUthman related to us, from Saʿid al-Maqburi, from Safwan ibn al-Muʿattal al-Sulami, who asked the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, saying: “O Prophet of Allah, I ask you about something of which you have knowledge and of which I am ignorant: is there an hour, by night or by day, in which you dislike prayer?” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said ... and he mentioned it. Al-Hakim said—and the two additions are his: