5/39. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 639b — Waiting at Night for Isha Prayer
The time of `Isha and delaying it
Waiting at Night for Isha: A Hadith on Patient Salah
Sahih Muslim : 639b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 639b
وَحَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَافِعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي نَافِعٌ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم شُغِلَ عَنْهَا لَيْلَةً فَأَخَّرَهَا حَتَّى رَقَدْنَا فِي الْمَسْجِدِ ثُمَّ اسْتَيْقَظْنَا ثُمَّ رَقَدْنَا ثُمَّ اسْتَيْقَظْنَا ثُمَّ خَرَجَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثُمَّ قَالَ " لَيْسَ أَحَدٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الأَرْضِ اللَّيْلَةَ يَنْتَظِرُ الصَّلاَةَ غَيْرُكُمْ " .
Abdullah b. 'Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was one night occupied (in some work) and he delayed it ('Isya' prayer) till we went to sleep in the mosque. We then woke up and again went to sleep and again woke up. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) then came to us and said: None among the people of the earth except you waits for prayer in the night.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 639bIn-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 280USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1335
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 639b
Competitor-style search intent for this narration points to “Isha delayed until sleep hadith,” with related terms like “waiting for prayer at night,” “Sahih Muslim 639b,” and “none waits for prayer except you.” Abdullah b. Umar reports that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم was occupied one night and delayed Isha. The Companions slept in the mosque, woke up, slept again, and woke up again. Then the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم came out and told them that none among the people of the earth that night was waiting for prayer except them. The hadith gives a clear picture of patient waiting. It does not tell people to seek hardship, but it does show the worth of staying connected to salah even when the prayer is delayed. Their waiting itself became a noted act in the words of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was occupied and delayed Isha one night.
- The Companions slept and woke while waiting in the mosque.
- He told them that no one else that night was waiting for prayer like them.
- The report highlights patience while waiting for salah.
