What is the ruling on delaying the iqamah for the Fajr and 'Asr prayers in some mosques?
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The questioner : Shaykh, the question says: Currently, in most mosques, the 'Asr and Fajr prayers are delayed. Some people cite the hadith: So I do not know what your comment on this is?
The Shaykh : Okay, and regarding 'Asr, what do they say? What is their evidence?
The questioner : For 'Asr, they argue that people sleep after work, so [they delay it] so that they can catch the prayer.
The Shaykh : The legal principle indicated by the Sunnah is: "That it is better to advance all five prayers, except 'Isha', for which it is better to delay it as long as it does not cause hardship, and Zuhr in the intense heat". Regarding Fajr, there is a hadith whose authenticity is subject to scrutiny in which the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered its delay in the short nights of summer and its advancement in the nights of winter, as is customary. As for the hadith and similar ones, it has one of two meanings:
The Shaykh: Either the meaning is that you should not hasten in it until you are certain of the light of dawn, or the meaning is that you should lengthen the recitation in it until the light of dawn spreads and becomes clear.
Delay the Fajr prayer until the light of dawn appears, for that is more complete for the reward.
أسفروا بالفجر فإنّه أكمل للأجرThe Shaykh : Okay, and regarding 'Asr, what do they say? What is their evidence?
The questioner : For 'Asr, they argue that people sleep after work, so [they delay it] so that they can catch the prayer.
The Shaykh : The legal principle indicated by the Sunnah is: "That it is better to advance all five prayers, except 'Isha', for which it is better to delay it as long as it does not cause hardship, and Zuhr in the intense heat". Regarding Fajr, there is a hadith whose authenticity is subject to scrutiny in which the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered its delay in the short nights of summer and its advancement in the nights of winter, as is customary. As for the hadith
"Delay the Fajr prayer"
أسفروا بالفجرThe Shaykh: Either the meaning is that you should not hasten in it until you are certain of the light of dawn, or the meaning is that you should lengthen the recitation in it until the light of dawn spreads and becomes clear.