5/39. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 638a — Waiting for Delayed Isha Prayer
The time of `Isha and delaying it
Delayed Isha Prayer Hadith: Waiting for Salah at Night
Sahih Muslim : 638a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 638a
وَحَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ سَوَّادٍ الْعَامِرِيُّ، وَحَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالاَ أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ، أَنَّ ابْنَ شِهَابٍ، أَخْبَرَهُ قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عُرْوَةُ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ، زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَتْ أَعْتَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَيْلَةً مِنَ اللَّيَالِي بِصَلاَةِ الْعِشَاءِ وَهِيَ الَّتِي تُدْعَى الْعَتَمَةَ فَلَمْ يَخْرُجْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى قَالَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ نَامَ النِّسَاءُ وَالصِّبْيَانُ فَخَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ لأَهْلِ الْمَسْجِدِ حِينَ خَرَجَ عَلَيْهِمْ " مَا يَنْتَظِرُهَا أَحَدٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الأَرْضِ غَيْرُكُمْ " . وَذَلِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَفْشُوَ الإِسْلاَمُ فِي النَّاسِ . زَادَ حَرْمَلَةُ فِي رِوَايَتِهِ قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ وَذُكِرَ لِي أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " وَمَا كَانَ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَنْزُرُوا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَى الصَّلاَةِ " . وَذَاكَ حِينَ صَاحَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ .
A'isha. the wife of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) deferred one night the 'Isya' prayer. And this is called 'Atama. And the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not come out till Umar b. Khattab told (him) that the women and children had gone to sleep. So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out towards them and said to the people of the mosque: None except you from the people of the earth waits for it (for the night prayer at this late hour), and it was before Islam had spread amongst people. And in the narration transmitted by Ibn Shihab the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) is reported to have said: It is not meant that you should compel the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) for prayer. And (this he said) when 'Umar b. Khattab called (the Holy Prophet) in a loud voice.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 638aIn-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 276USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1331
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 638a
Competitor-style search intent for this hadith points to “delayed Isha prayer hadith,” with related searches like “waiting for Isha prayer,” “women and children slept hadith,” and “Sahih Muslim 638a.” A'isha reports that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم delayed the Isha prayer one night, also called 'Atama. He did not come out until Umar said that the women and children had gone to sleep. When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم came out, he told the people in the mosque that no one from the people of the earth was waiting for that prayer except them. The report also notes that this was before Islam had spread among people. In one wording, he also said they should not compel the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم for prayer. The hadith shows patience in waiting, while also teaching respectful conduct toward the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم delayed Isha one night.
- The people in the mosque waited for the night prayer.
- Women and children had gone to sleep before he came out.
- The report includes a reminder not to pressure the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم for prayer.
