5/39. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 638c — Proper Time of Isha and Mercy for the Ummah
The time of `Isha and delaying it
Isha Prayer Time Hadith: Mercy and Avoiding Hardship
Sahih Muslim : 638c
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 638c
حَدَّثَنِي إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ، كِلاَهُمَا عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ بَكْرٍ، ح قَالَ وَحَدَّثَنِي هَارُونُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا حَجَّاجُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، ح قَالَ وَحَدَّثَنِي حَجَّاجُ بْنُ الشَّاعِرِ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَافِعٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، - وَأَلْفَاظُهُمْ مُتَقَارِبَةٌ - قَالُوا جَمِيعًا عَنِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي الْمُغِيرَةُ بْنُ حَكِيمٍ، عَنْ أُمِّ كُلْثُومٍ بِنْتِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ، أَنَّهَا أَخْبَرَتْهُ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ أَعْتَمَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ حَتَّى ذَهَبَ عَامَّةُ اللَّيْلِ وَحَتَّى نَامَ أَهْلُ الْمَسْجِدِ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ فَصَلَّى فَقَالَ " إِنَّهُ لَوَقْتُهَا لَوْلاَ أَنْ أَشُقَّ عَلَى أُمَّتِي " . وَفِي حَدِيثِ عَبْدِ الرَّزَّاقِ " لَوْلاَ أَنْ يَشُقَّ عَلَى أُمَّتِي " .
A'isha reported: The Apostle of Allah (ﷺ) one night delayed (observing the 'Isya' prayer) till a great part of the night was over and the people in the mosque had gone to sleep. He (the Holy Prophet) then came out and observed prayer and said: This is the proper time for it; were it not that I would impose a burden on my people (I would normally pray at this time). In the hadith transmitters by 'Abd al-Razzaq (the words are):" Were it not that it would impose burden on my people."
Reference : Sahih Muslim 638cIn-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 278USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1333
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 638c
Competitor-style search intent for this hadith points to “Isha proper time hadith,” with related searches like “were it not hardship on my ummah,” “delaying Isha prayer,” and “Sahih Muslim 638c.” A'isha reports that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم delayed Isha one night until a large part of the night had passed and the people in the mosque had gone to sleep. Then he came out, prayed, and said that this was its time, were it not that he would impose hardship on his people. The hadith gives a gentle balance. It shows the value of a later Isha time in this specific report, but it also shows mercy for the community. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not want to make things too hard for his Ummah. The text teaches worship with care, but not by placing needless burden on people.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم delayed Isha until a large part of the night had passed.
- He prayed after some people in the mosque had gone to sleep.
- He said this was its time, if not for hardship on the Ummah.
- The hadith shows care for prayer and mercy toward people.
