2/11. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 421 — Isha Prayer in the Dark
The Time For The Later Isha'
Isha Prayer Time Hadith: Observing Isha After Darkness
Sunan Abi Dawud : 421
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 421
حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عُثْمَانَ الْحِمْصِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا حَرِيزٌ، عَنْ رَاشِدِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ عَاصِمِ بْنِ حُمَيْدٍ السَّكُونِيِّ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ مُعَاذَ بْنَ جَبَلٍ، يَقُولُ ارْتَقَبْنَا النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي صَلاَةِ الْعَتَمَةِ فَأَخَّرَ حَتَّى ظَنَّ الظَّانُّ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ بِخَارِجٍ وَالْقَائِلُ مِنَّا يَقُولُ صَلَّى فَإِنَّا لَكَذَلِكَ حَتَّى خَرَجَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالُوا لَهُ كَمَا قَالُوا فَقَالَ لَهُمْ " أَعْتِمُوا بِهَذِهِ الصَّلاَةِ فَإِنَّكُمْ قَدْ فُضِّلْتُمْ بِهَا عَلَى سَائِرِ الأُمَمِ وَلَمْ تُصَلِّهَا أُمَّةٌ قَبْلَكُمْ " .
Mu'adh bin Jabal Narrated from:
We waited for the Prophet (ﷺ) to offer the night prayer. He delayed until people thought that he would not come out and some of us said that he had offered the prayer. At the moment when we were in this condition the Prophet (ﷺ) came out. People said to him as they were already saying. He said: Observe this prayer when it is dark, for by it you have been made superior to all the peoples, no people having observed it before you.
[1] Meaning, the later night prayer as it is sometimes referred to in the Hadīth literature.[1] Referring to the darkness of the night.Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 421In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 31English translation : Book 2, Hadith 421
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 421
This Hadith centers on the Isha prayer time and the value of observing the night prayer after darkness has settled. The companions waited for the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, and the prayer was delayed until some people thought he might not come out. When he came, he directed them to observe this prayer when it was dark. The main lesson is not about confusion or worry, but about the special place of this prayer. The Hadith states that this prayer was a way by which this Ummah was favored over other peoples. So the focus is clear: Isha prayer is not a small matter. It has a special mark, and its time after darkness carries meaning in this narration.
What we learn from this hadith
- Isha prayer is given special attention in this narration.
- The companions showed patience while waiting for the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
- The Hadith links observing this prayer in darkness with a special favor for this Ummah.
