5/16. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 557b — Do Not Rush from Supper
It is disliked to offer salat in the presence of food that one wants to eat. It is disliked to offer salat while restraining the urge to relieve oneself, and so on
Hadith About Supper Before Maghrib Prayer: Do Not Rush from Food
Sahih Muslim : 557b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 557b
حَدَّثَنَا هَارُونُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الأَيْلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي عَمْرٌو، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَنَسُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِذَا قُرِّبَ الْعَشَاءُ وَحَضَرَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَابْدَءُوا بِهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُصَلُّوا صَلاَةَ الْمَغْرِبِ وَلاَ تَعْجَلُوا عَنْ عَشَائِكُمْ " .
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: When the supper is brought before you, and it is also the time to say prayer, first take food before saying evening prayer and do not hasten (to prayer, leaving aside the food).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 557bIn-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 80USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1135
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 557b
This Hadith about supper before Maghrib prayer gives more detail than the shorter report. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that when supper is brought and it is also time for prayer, people should take food before praying the evening prayer and should not hasten away from their supper. The teaching is balanced. It speaks about a case where food is already placed before the person. The aim is to avoid rushing into prayer while the mind remains attached to the meal. The Hadith does not praise delaying prayer for no reason. It gives direction for a specific clash between ready food and the start of prayer. It teaches calm worship and practical order.
What we learn from this hadith
- When supper is already served and prayer time comes, the Hadith says to begin with the meal.
- The report specifically mentions evening prayer in this wording.
- A person should not rush away from supper in that situation.
- Prayer is better approached with calm attention, not avoidable distraction.
