the scholars maintain that the Law has set no fixed measure for this cooling-off period. Al-Sanʿānī stated that the most persuasive text for gauging its length is the report collected by the two Shaykhs from Abū Dharr: “We were travelling with the Prophet ﷺ, and the caller wished to pronounce the adhan for ẓuhr. The Prophet said, ‘Let it cool.’ A little later the caller again sought permission, and he replied, ‘Let it cool,’ until we saw the shade creeping across the hillocks.” This indicates that the delay ends when shade begins to appear along walls and similar objects.
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The purpose of the ruling is to grant the worshipper comfort, so that his heart is more attentive and further removed from restlessness.
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The ruling revolves around its effective cause: wherever oppressive heat exists, delaying the prayer is meritorious. In cold regions, where that cause is absent, postponement is not recommended.
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Both the wording of the ḥadīth and the rationale behind it show that the ruling applies equally to those praying in congregation in the mosque and to those praying alone at home, for all are similarly disturbed by intense heat.
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It is recommended that the worshipper perform the prayer away from anything that might distract him or occupy his mind during it.
Benefit
Our teacher ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Nāṣir al-Saʿdī—may Allah have mercy on him—said while commenting on this ḥadīth: “There is no contradiction between this and the observable, physical causes, for all of them are among the means that produce heat and cold, as is likewise the case with an eclipse and other phenomena. A person should therefore affirm the unseen causes mentioned by the Lawgiver and believe in them, while also acknowledging the tangible, perceptible causes. Whoever denies either of the two has fallen into error.”
Second Ḥadīth
Anas ibn Mālik—may Allah be pleased with him—said: “We used to pray with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the height of the heat. If one of us was unable to keep his forehead on the ground, he would spread his garment and prostrate upon it.”
Overall meaning
It was the Prophet’s ﷺ practice to lead his Companions in the noon prayer on the hot days, while the ground was still so hot that