5/35. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 627a — Middle Prayer at Ahzab
Stern warning against missing the `Asr prayer
Middle Prayer Hadith: The Day of Ahzab and the Missed Prayer
Sahih Muslim : 627a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 627a
وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ عَبِيدَةَ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ لَمَّا كَانَ يَوْمُ الأَحْزَابِ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَلأَ اللَّهُ قُبُورَهُمْ وَبُيُوتَهُمْ نَارًا كَمَا حَبَسُونَا وَشَغَلُونَا عَنِ الصَّلاَةِ الْوُسْطَى حَتَّى غَابَتِ الشَّمْسُ " .
Ali reported: When it was the day (of the Battle) of Ahzab, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: May Allah fill their graves and houses with fire, as they detained us and diverted us from the middle prayer, till the sun set.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 627aIn-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 254USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1309
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 627a
This middle prayer hadith from Ali describes what happened on the day of Ahzab. The Messenger of Allah said that the enemies detained them and kept them busy from the middle prayer until the sun set. The wording also includes the Prophet's supplication against those who caused that delay. The main point for readers searching for hadith about Salat al-Wusta is that being prevented from this prayer was treated as a very serious matter. This report does not explain every detail of the battle, so the explanation should stay with the text. It shows that the Prophet was deeply affected when the prayer was missed because of being detained. It also connects the middle prayer with the concern of preserving prayer time.
What we learn from this hadith
- Being kept from the middle prayer was treated as a serious matter.
- The Prophet spoke strongly about those who caused the delay.
- Prayer time remained important even during hardship.
- The narration connects the middle prayer with the day of Ahzab.
