How to reconcile the hadiths prohibiting prayer after 'Asr with the hadith of 'Ali, who said
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The Shaykh : ... the 'Asr prayer, and we know the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) Sunan Ibn Majah 1249Sahih (Darussalam) , and upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Welcome, please go ahead. We are well, praise be to Allah. So, the conflict with the first hadith, the hadith of 'A'ishah, in which he says: Sunan an-Nasa'i 518Da'if (Darussalam) How is it that he prays... Is that clear?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : This is the issue. The answer comes from two aspects: the first aspect, which is the most important, because it concerns us, who follow the Messenger (peace be upon him), and the second aspect concerns him (peace be upon him), who has a special status. The first aspect, which is the most important, is that the hadithSunan Ibn Majah 1249Sahih (Darussalam) is a general statement that has been specified. What is the meaning of this answer from the jurisprudential perspective?
The questioner : A general statement that has been specified...?
Al-Halabi: Meaning this hadith is general, and it has a specification in another place.
The Shaykh : Exactly. Its specification is the hadith of 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), and similar to it is the hadith of Anas ibn MalikSunan an-Nasa'i 573Sahih (Darussalam) Is that clear?
The questioner : Yes, it is clear.
The Shaykh : This exception specifies the first hadith. The first hadith covers all the time following the 'Asr prayer. The second hadith, by saying "no," indicates that it is not all the time, but rather the time when the sun begins to turn yellow and the light narrows toward sunset. Once you know this hadith from 'Ali and from Anas, the conflict is resolved. Is that clear?
The questioner : Yes, exactly.
The Shaykh : But it is useful to mention the second answer, because this benefits us in other issues. The second answer assumes that we did not know this specifying hadith. Is that clear?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : We say that he told his UmmahSunan an-Nasa'i 518Da'if (Darussalam), but he himself did not do it, meaning he has specific characteristics. He married nine women, which is more than what was allowed for others, whereas when a man with nine women came to him and embraced Islam, he told him to keep four of them and divorce the rest. Is there a contradiction between these two? No, that is a special characteristic of the Messenger (peace be upon him). So, if the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed after 'Asr, what would that be? It would be a special characteristic for him. But when does this apply? It applies if we are unaware of the hadith of 'Ali, which says "except when the sun is high and clear." Is the answer clear?
The questioner : It is clear.
Another questioner: Excuse me, my master, regarding the hadith of 'Ali from the Messenger of Allah... or is it the opinion of 'Ali, or did he narrate from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)...
The Shaykh : No, I am saying that the hadith of 'Ali states that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited prayer after 'Asr, except when the sun is high and clear. It is a marfu' hadith. Yes.
There is no prayer after the ‘Asr until the sun has set
لا صلاة بعد العصر حتى تغرب الشمسThere is no prayer after 'Asr
لا صلاة بعد العصرThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : This is the issue. The answer comes from two aspects: the first aspect, which is the most important, because it concerns us, who follow the Messenger (peace be upon him), and the second aspect concerns him (peace be upon him), who has a special status. The first aspect, which is the most important, is that the hadith
There is no prayer after the ‘Asr until the sun has set
لا صلاة بعد العصر حتى تغرب الشمسThe questioner : A general statement that has been specified...?
Al-Halabi: Meaning this hadith is general, and it has a specification in another place.
The Shaykh : Exactly. Its specification is the hadith of 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), and similar to it is the hadith of Anas ibn Malik
forbade praying after 'Asr unless the sun was still white, clear and high
نهى عن الصلاة بعد العصر إلا أن تكون الشمس مرتفعة نقيةThe questioner : Yes, it is clear.
The Shaykh : This exception specifies the first hadith. The first hadith covers all the time following the 'Asr prayer. The second hadith, by saying "no," indicates that it is not all the time, but rather the time when the sun begins to turn yellow and the light narrows toward sunset. Once you know this hadith from 'Ali and from Anas, the conflict is resolved. Is that clear?
The questioner : Yes, exactly.
The Shaykh : But it is useful to mention the second answer, because this benefits us in other issues. The second answer assumes that we did not know this specifying hadith. Is that clear?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : We say that he told his Ummah
There is no prayer after 'Asr
لا صلاة بعد العصرThe questioner : It is clear.
Another questioner: Excuse me, my master, regarding the hadith of 'Ali from the Messenger of Allah... or is it the opinion of 'Ali, or did he narrate from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)...
The Shaykh : No, I am saying that the hadith of 'Ali states that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited prayer after 'Asr, except when the sun is high and clear. It is a marfu' hadith. Yes.