Explanation of the author's statement: "…and delaying it until the last third of the night is better if it is easy…"
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The Shaykh : He said "and delaying it until the last third of the night is better if it is easy", so I hope you will pay attention.
Now, we have no evidence that the time for the night prayer extends until the appearance of the dawn. In that case, the author's statement is the weaker position. Delaying it until the last third of the night is better if it is easy; if it is difficult, then hasten to pray it at the beginning of its time. But if it is easy, the better option is to delay it until the last third of the night. What is the evidence for this? The hadith of Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) preferred to delay the night prayer", or the hadith of Abu Juhaifah: "He preferred to delay the night prayer". And in the hadith of Jabir:Sahih al-Bukhari 560 It is also established from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he once delayed [the prayer] one night until most of the night had passed. Then 'Umar stood up to him and said, "O Messenger of Allah, the women and children have fallen asleep." So he came out, his head dripping with water, (peace and blessings be upon him), and said: Sahih Muslim 638c These are clear proofs that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) [held] that delaying it until the last third of the night is better, but only if it is easy.
Now, if a person is leading people in prayer in the town, is it better to hasten or to delay? We say the better option is to consider the people. If they gather, he prays; and if they delay, he delays.
Now, if they are a confined group and it does not concern them whether to hasten or delay, what is better? Delaying.
So, as for women in their homes, in our time today, the better option for them is to delay. That is, if a woman says she will remain awake until the middle of the night, is it better for her to pray the night prayer early or late? We say the better option is to delay it. As for men, they will pray in congregation. So if someone asks, is it better to consider delaying the prayer until the end of its time, or to pray with the congregation?
The questioner : In congregation.
The Shaykh : Yes, we say the congregation. In fact, there is no comparison in reality, because prayer in congregation is obligatory, and this [delaying] is a recommended practice. There is no comparison or weighing between a recommended practice and an obligation.
Now, we have no evidence that the time for the night prayer extends until the appearance of the dawn. In that case, the author's statement is the weaker position. Delaying it until the last third of the night is better if it is easy; if it is difficult, then hasten to pray it at the beginning of its time. But if it is easy, the better option is to delay it until the last third of the night. What is the evidence for this? The hadith of Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) preferred to delay the night prayer", or the hadith of Abu Juhaifah: "He preferred to delay the night prayer". And in the hadith of Jabir:
Whenever he saw the people assembled (for `Isha' prayer) he would pray earlier and if the people delayed, he would delay the prayer.
إذا رأهم اجتمعوا عجّل وإذا رأهم أبطأوا أخّرThis is the proper time for it; were it not that I would impose a burden on my people
إنه لوقتها لولا أن أشقّ على أمتيNow, if a person is leading people in prayer in the town, is it better to hasten or to delay? We say the better option is to consider the people. If they gather, he prays; and if they delay, he delays.
Now, if they are a confined group and it does not concern them whether to hasten or delay, what is better? Delaying.
So, as for women in their homes, in our time today, the better option for them is to delay. That is, if a woman says she will remain awake until the middle of the night, is it better for her to pray the night prayer early or late? We say the better option is to delay it. As for men, they will pray in congregation. So if someone asks, is it better to consider delaying the prayer until the end of its time, or to pray with the congregation?
The questioner : In congregation.
The Shaykh : Yes, we say the congregation. In fact, there is no comparison in reality, because prayer in congregation is obligatory, and this [delaying] is a recommended practice. There is no comparison or weighing between a recommended practice and an obligation.