Ruling on delaying the 'Isha' prayer to the best time and performing it individually
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Q398: The questioner says: "I have learned that the reward for the 'Isha' prayer increases the later it is performed. So, I no longer go to the mosque to pray it with the congregation; instead, I pray it late, individually, to obtain this reward. Is my action correct?"
A398: Your action is wrong, because you abandoned an obligatory duty in order to obtain a recommended practice. Delaying the 'Isha' prayer until the last third of the night is a recommended practice, and praying in congregation is obligatory. You have abandoned the congregational prayer, so you must repent to Allah, the Exalted, and adhere to the congregational prayer. If they pray it at the beginning of its time, pray it with them. If they delay the 'Isha' prayer to the best time, delay it with them. This is how the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did it: when he saw the people gathering, he would hasten, and when he saw them delaying, he would delay. He preferred to pray it late, but out of consideration for the condition of his Companions and kindness to them, he would pray the 'Isha' prayer with them at the beginning of its time.
(Glorified and Exalted is He), and that you adhere to the congregational prayer. If they pray it at the beginning of its time, you pray it with them. If they delay the 'Isha' prayer to the best time, you delay it with them. Likewise, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when he saw the people gathering, he would hasten, and when he saw them delaying, he would delay. He preferred to pray it late, but out of consideration for the condition of his Companions and kindness to them, he would pray the 'Isha' prayer with them at the beginning of its time.
A398: Your action is wrong, because you abandoned an obligatory duty in order to obtain a recommended practice. Delaying the 'Isha' prayer until the last third of the night is a recommended practice, and praying in congregation is obligatory. You have abandoned the congregational prayer, so you must repent to Allah, the Exalted, and adhere to the congregational prayer. If they pray it at the beginning of its time, pray it with them. If they delay the 'Isha' prayer to the best time, delay it with them. This is how the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did it: when he saw the people gathering, he would hasten, and when he saw them delaying, he would delay. He preferred to pray it late, but out of consideration for the condition of his Companions and kindness to them, he would pray the 'Isha' prayer with them at the beginning of its time.
(Glorified and Exalted is He), and that you adhere to the congregational prayer. If they pray it at the beginning of its time, you pray it with them. If they delay the 'Isha' prayer to the best time, you delay it with them. Likewise, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when he saw the people gathering, he would hasten, and when he saw them delaying, he would delay. He preferred to pray it late, but out of consideration for the condition of his Companions and kindness to them, he would pray the 'Isha' prayer with them at the beginning of its time.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.