Often we might delay our prayers from the Prime Time (for example, shorly after the adhan) and wait until moments before the time in which it would be considered qadha.

Although this is permissible and not haram, we must understand what this means in the eyes of Allah (swt). A
couple of hadiths which stood out.


#1. From Muhammad bin Yahya, from Salmah bin al-Khattaab, from Ali bin Sayf bin `ameera, from his father, from Qutayba al-`asha, from Abi Abdullah (as) who said:

The virtue of (praying) at the prime time over delaying till the end of the (acceptable) time is the same as the virtue
of the hereafter over this world (al-dunya).

Source : al-Kafi, Volume 3, Page 274, Hadith 6; Wasaa’il al-Shia, Volume 4, Page 123, Hadith #15


#2. Muhammad bin Ali bin al-Hussain said:

Imam al-Sadiq (as) said: (Praying) early (the prime time) invokes the pleasure of Allah (swt), and (praying) late (after the prime time) invokes the forgiveness of Allah (swt), and forgiveness is not invoked unless it is for a sin (dhanb).

Source : Man la Yahdhuruhu al-Faqih, Volume 1, Hadith #651; Wassail al-Shia, Volume 4, Page 123, Hadith #16

# Regarding the ayah “So woe to those who pray, [But] who are heedless of their prayer” (107:4-5),

Ali ibn Ibrahim from Abi Abdillah (as) said: (This ayah is referring to) delaying the prayers from its prime time without an excuse.

Source : Tafseer al-Qummi, Volume 2, Page 444; Wasaa’il al-Shia, Volume 4, Page 124, Hadith #20

Although it is acceptable and forgiven to delay prayers until the the next prayers adhan, these narrations really describe how taking delaying without excuse is seen in the eyes of Allah (swt).

May Allah (swt) make us of those who are deserving of his pleasure rather than settling for only His forgiveness.

* Purified Ahlulbayt.