When is it recommended to perform prayer? Is it at the beginning, middle or the end of its time? Are there any exceptions?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

Scholars have mentioned some details about the matter of the recommendation of performing prayer in its early time or delaying it. They are as follows:

1-      Thuhr prayer: It is recommended to be performed in its early time except at times of intense heat.

At-Tirmithi said: “It is what is chosen by the scholars among the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and from among those who came after them. This was proven by the Hadeeth reported by Abu Barzah, Jaabir and some others from the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Also, ‘Aa’ishah said: “I did not see anyone offering the prayer of Thuhr earlier than the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and not even (earlier) than Abu Bakr and ‘Umar.” [At-Tirmithi; Hasan]

Delaying it due to intense heat; it was narrated by Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “When it is intensely hot, wait until it cools down before you pray, for intense heat is from the breeze of Hell.” [Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Daawood, An-Nasaa‘i, At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah]

1-      ‘Asr prayer: It is recommended to be performed in its early time in all conditions according to the majority of scholars. This is due to the Hadeeth that was narrated by Raafi‘ ibn Khadeej who said: “We used to offer the ‘Asr prayer with the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, after which, a camel would be slaughtered, its meat would be divided into ten parts and cooked. We would eat the cooked meat before sunset.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

It was also reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to perform the ‘Asr prayer when the sun was still hot.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

2-      Maghrib prayer: There is no disagreement regarding the recommendation of performing it in its early time as long as there is no religious excuse. This is due to the Hadeeth that was narrated by Raafi‘ ibn Khadeej who said: “We used to offer the Maghrib prayer with the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and, after finishing the prayer, one of us may go away and could still see as far as the spots where one's arrow might reach when shot by a bow.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

It was also reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to perform the Maghrib prayer after sunset (i.e. at its stated time). [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

3-      ‘Ishaa’ prayer: It is recommended to be delayed until its late time which is the (end of the first) third of the night and it was said (even until the end of the first) half (of the night) as long as this does not cause difficulty (for the people).

Ibn Qudaamah said: “It is the opinion that was chosen by the majority of scholars among the Companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and their followers.”

It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah said: “The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, stayed up late one night until most of the night had passed and the people in the mosque had fallen asleep. Then, he went out and prayed ‘Ishaa’. He said, “This would be its time, were it not that this would be difficult for my Ummah (Islamic nation).” [Muslim]

It was also reported that Jaabir said: “The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to pray Thuhr at mid-day, ‘Asr at a time when the sun was still bright, Maghrib immediately after sunset  and ‘Ishaa’ at a variable time. Whenever he saw the people assembled (for the ‘Ishaa’ prayer), he would pray earlier and if the people delayed, he would delay it. Also, they or the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to offer the Fajr Prayers when it was still dark.”  [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

4-Fajr prayer: It is better to be offered, according to the majority of scholars other than Hanafi scholars, when it is still dark, based on the Hadeeth of Jaabir that was mentioned previously. Ibn ‘Abd Al-Barr said: “It is authentically reported that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, Abu Bakr, ‘Umar and ‘Uthmaan used to pray it when it was still dark.”

Moreover, it was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah said: “The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to pray Fajr and the believing women would attend the prayer with him, wrapped in their veils. Then, they would go back to their homes and no one would recognize them because of the darkness.” [Al-Bukhari]

Her saying “no one would recognize them” means one would not be able to tell if they were men or women. Others said that they would not be identified.

An-Nawawi in his commentary on Saheeh Muslim, said: “This is weak because the woman who is wrapped in her veil during the day also cannot be identified and thus these words bear no evidence."

From this, we know that it is recommended to offer prayers in their early time except Thuhr at the time of intense heat and ‘Ishaa’ as long as it does not cause difficulty for those who offer it in congregation.