Is it permissible to delay the 'Isha' prayer?
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Q: A question from Abu Sa'd - Riyadh - he says: Some people, when you tell them: Why do you delay the 'Isha' prayer during work or otherwise? They say: The time for the 'Isha' prayer extends until before midnight, and the time is wide in that.
I ask your Eminence to clarify this issue and its ruling, along with the evidence for it. May Allah preserve you and guide your steps.
A: It is obligatory for every Muslim to pray the 'Isha' prayer and the others with the congregation, and it is not permissible to delay it and be occupied with work; because performing it in congregation is an obligatory matter, so it is not permissible for anyone to lag behind the congregation except for a valid religious excuse, such as illness, or the like. Due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Bulugh al-Maram 2:308 It was said to Ibn Abbas: What is the excuse? He said: (Fear or illness).
I ask your Eminence to clarify this issue and its ruling, along with the evidence for it. May Allah preserve you and guide your steps.
A: It is obligatory for every Muslim to pray the 'Isha' prayer and the others with the congregation, and it is not permissible to delay it and be occupied with work; because performing it in congregation is an obligatory matter, so it is not permissible for anyone to lag behind the congregation except for a valid religious excuse, such as illness, or the like. Due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Whoever hears the call for prayer and and does not come (to the mosque for prayer), his prayer will not be accepted from him, unless he has a (legitimate) excuse.
من سمع النداء فلم يأت فلا صلاة له إلا من عذر
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.