Hadith record

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama‘ah who has said the following: “I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who comes to Masjid when people there have completed their Salah (prayer). Should he begin the obligatory or optional before the obligatory? He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is a good time it is not harmful to perform optional Salah (prayer) before obligatory. If he fears that time may end, he must begin the obligatory, which is the right of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, then perform optional Salah (prayer) whatever he wants. The time for optional Salah (prayer) is longer. One can perform in the beginning of the time for obligatory optional ones, unless one is afraid of passing of the time of obligatory one. It is better when one performs alone to begin with obligatory, if it is time for it, so that it is performed during the excellent time which is in the beginning of time. It is not prohibited to perform optional Salah (prayer) at the beginning of time up to near the end of the time.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.