5/32. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 617b — Heat, Hellfire, and Dhuhr
The recommendation to delay Zuhr (until it has cooled down) in severe heat for one who finds it too hot in route to join the congregation
Dhuhr Delay and Hellfire Exhalation: A Hadith on Severe Heat
Sahih Muslim : 617b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 617b
وَحَدَّثَنِي إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ مُوسَى الأَنْصَارِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا مَعْنٌ، حَدَّثَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، مَوْلَى الأَسْوَدِ بْنِ سُفْيَانَ عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، وَمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ ثَوْبَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِذَا كَانَ الْحَرُّ فَأَبْرِدُوا عَنِ الصَّلاَةِ فَإِنَّ شِدَّةَ الْحَرِّ مِنْ فَيْحِ جَهَنَّمَ " . وَذَكَرَ " أَنَّ النَّارَ اشْتَكَتْ إِلَى رَبِّهَا فَأَذِنَ لَهَا فِي كُلِّ عَامٍ بِنَفَسَيْنِ نَفَسٍ فِي الشِّتَاءِ وَنَفَسٍ فِي الصَّيْفِ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: When it is hot, make delay (in the noon prayer) till it cools down, for the intensity of beat is from the Exhalation of Hell; and he also mentioned that Hellfire complained to the Lord (about the congested atmosphere) and so it was permitted to take two exhalations during the whole year, one exhalation during the winter and one exhalation during the summer.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 617bIn-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 236USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1291
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 617b
This Hadith brings together two related teachings. First, when it is hot, the noon prayer should be delayed until it cools down. Second, the intensity of heat is from the exhalation of Hell. The narration also mentions that Hellfire complained to its Lord and was permitted two exhalations during the year, one in winter and one in summer. The message is direct: severe heat is not treated lightly in this Hadith, and the noon prayer may be delayed within its time until the heat becomes easier. For searches about Dhuhr prayer in heat, exhalation of Hell, or hot weather prayer Hadith, this narration covers both ideas in one report.
What we learn from this hadith
- When it is hot, the noon prayer may be delayed until it cools.
- The Hadith links severe heat to the exhalation of Hell.
- Hellfire is described as being allowed two exhalations in the year.
- The report combines a prayer timing instruction with a reminder about Hell.
