The Chapter on Obligatory Prayers

Hadith.600 – Zurarah ibn A'yan said: I asked Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) to inform me of what Allah (swt), the Exalted, has made obligatory regarding prayers." Imam (as) replied: "Five prayers in the night and day." I asked him, "Did Allah (swt) name them and clarify them in His Book?" Imam (as) said: "Yes, Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, said to His Prophet : 'Establish prayer at the decline of the sun until the darkness of the night' (Surah Al-Isra 17:78). The decline (duluk) of the sun refers to its noon passing, so from the decline of the sun until the darkness of the night, there are four prayers (Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha) that Allah (swt) has named and specified their times. The darkness of the night is its midpoint. Then Allah (swt) said: "And the recitation at dawn, for the recitation at dawn is witnessed by angels˺." (Surah Al-Isra 17:78) - This is the fifth prayer. Allah (swt) said regarding this: "Establish prayer ˹O’ Prophet˺ at both ends of the day and in the early part of the night." (Surah Hud 11:114) - and its two ends are Maghrib (sunset) and Fajr (dawn). "And during parts of the night," (Surah Hud 11:114) which refers to the Isha prayer. Allah (swt) also said: "Guard the prayers and especially the middle prayer," (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:238) - which is the noon (Dhuhr) prayer, and this is the first prayer that the Messenger of Allah (sw) performed. It is between two daytime prayers: the Fajr prayer and the Asr prayer." He continued: "In some recitations, it reads 'Maintain the prayers and the middle prayer and the Asr prayer' (Qur'an 2:238). Stand for Allah (swt) with devotion during the middle prayer." It is said that this verse was revealed on a Jumu’ah when the Messenger of Allah (sw) was traveling, and he performed Qunoot in it, keeping it in both travel and residency, and added two units for non-traveler. The two units added by the Prophet on Jumu’ah for non-travelers are due to the two sermons with the Imam. Whoever prays on Jumu’ah without a congregation should perform four units as one would perform Dhuhr on other days."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.602 - Imam (as) said: "When the Messenger of Allah (sw), was taken on the Night Journey (Miraj), his Lord (azj) commanded him with fifty prayers. As he passed by each of the prophets, none of them asked him anything until he reached Musa ibn Imran (as). Musa (as) asked: 'What did your Lord (azj) command you?' He (sw) replied: 'Fifty prayers.' He (Musa (as)) requested: 'Ask your Lord (azj) for a reduction, for your Ummah will not be able to bear that.' So He (sw) asked his Lord (azj), and it was reduced by ten. Then He passed by the Prophets again, one by one, without them asking Him anything, until He came to Musa (as), son of Imran, who (again) asked: "What did your Lord (azj) command you?" He (sw) said: "Forty prayers." He (Musa (as)) requested: "Ask your Lord (azj) for a relief, for your nation cannot bear that." So He asked his Lord (azj), and it was reduced by ten. Then He (sw) passed by the Prophets again, one by one, and they did not ask him anything until he reached Musa (as), son of Imran, who (again) asked: "What did your Lord (azj) command you?" He (sw) said: "Thirty prayers," He (Musa (as)) requested: "Ask your Lord (azj) for a relief, for your nation cannot bear that." So He (sw) asked his Lord (azj), and it was reduced by ten. Then He (sw) passed by the Prophets again, one by one, and they did not ask him anything until he reached Musa (as), son of Imran, who (again) asked: "What did your Lord (azj) command you?" He (sw) said: "Twenty prayers." He (Musa (as)) requested: "Ask your Lord (azj) for a relief, for your nation cannot bear that." So He (sw) asked his Lord (azj), and it was reduced by ten. Then He (sw) passed by the Prophets again, one by one, and they did not ask him anything until he reached Musa (as), son of Imran, who (again) asked: "What did your Lord (azj) command you?" He (sw) said: "Ten prayers." He (Musa (as)) requested: "Ask your Lord (azj) for a relief, for your nation cannot bear that." Musa (as) continued: "I came to the people of Bani Israel with what Allah (swt), the Exalted, had made obligatory upon them, but they did not accept it or agree to it." So Prophet (sw), asked his Lord (azj), the Exalted, and it was reduced further for him, making it five. Then He (sw) passed by the Prophets again, one by one, and they did not ask him anything until he reached Musa (as), son of Imran, who (again) asked: "What did your Lord (azj) command you?" He (sw) said: "Five prayers." He (Musa (as)) requested: "Ask your Lord (azj) for a relief, for your nation cannot bear that." He (sw) replied: 'I feel shy to ask my Lord (azj) again.' And thus the Messenger of Allah (sw) returned with the command for five prayers. The Messenger of Allah (sw) said: 'May Allah (swt) reward Musa ibn Imran with good on behalf of my Ummah’. And Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "'May Allah (swt) reward Musa ibn Imran with good on our behalf”.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.603 – It is narrated from Zaid ibn Ali ibn al-Hussain (as) who said: "I asked my father, the Master of the Worshippers (Imam Ali ibn Al-Hussain (as)), saying, 'O’ my father, inform me about our grandfather, the Messenger of Allah (sw), when he was taken up to the heavens and his Lord (azj) commanded him with fifty prayers. Why did he not ask for a reduction for his community until Musa (as) said to him, "Return to your Lord (azj) and ask for a reduction, for your community will not be able to bear this"?' Imam Ali ibn Al-Hussain (as) said: 'O’ my son, the Messenger of Allah (sw) does not propose or make demands from his Lord (azj), nor does he dispute any command He gives him. However, when Musa (as) suggested it and became an intercessor on behalf of his community, it was not appropriate for him to refuse the intercession of his brother Musa. So he returned to his Lord (azj) and asked for a reduction until it was reduced to five prayers.' I then said: 'O’ my father, why did he not return to his Lord (azj) and ask for a reduction from five prayers, even though Musa had suggested that?' Imam (as) said: 'O’ my son, The Prophet (sw) wished to ensure a lightening of the burden while preserving the reward of fifty prayers for his community, as Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, says, "Whoever brings a good deed shall have ten times its like" (Suran Al-An’am 6:160). Do you not see that when he returned to the earth, Archangel Jibril (as) descended to him and said: "O’ Muhammad, your Lord (azj) sends you greetings and says: Indeed, they are five (prayers) equating to fifty (in reward). No word is changed with Me, and I am not unjust to My servants."' I said: 'O’ my father, is not Allah (swt), the Glorified, beyond being confined to a place?' Imam (as) said: 'Yes, Allah (swt) is far above such limitations.' I then asked: 'So what is the meaning of Musa’s statement to the Messenger of Allah (sw), "Return to your Lord (azj)"?' Imam (as) said: 'It means the same as Ibrahim’s statement (as): "Indeed, I will go to my Lord (azj); He will guide me" (Surah As-Saffat 37:99), and Musa’s statement: "I hastened to You, my Lord (azj), so that You might be pleased" (Surah Taha 20:84), and Allah’s (swt) words: "So flee to Allah (swt)" (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:50), which means pilgrimage to the House of Allah (swt). O’ my son, the Kaaba is the House of Allah (swt), and whoever performs Hajj to the House of Allah (swt) has sought Allah (swt). The mosques are the Houses of Allah (swt), so whoever strives toward them strives toward Allah (swt) and intends Him. While praying, one is standing in the presence of Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic. Verily, Allah (swt), the Blessed and Exalted, has realms in His heavens, and whoever is taken up to one of these realms is taken up to Him. Do you not hear Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, say: "The angels and the spirit ascend to Him" (Surah Al-Ma’arij 70:4) and in the story of Isa (Jesus (as)): "But Allah (swt) raised him to Himself" (Surah An-Nisa 4:158), and He says: "To Him ascend good words, and He raises righteous deeds" (Surah Fatir 35:10).'

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.604 The Prophet, said: "Whoever believes in Allah (swt) and the Last Day should not sleep except in a state of Witr (having performed the Witr prayer)”.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.605 - Zurarah ibn A'yan narrated that Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) said: "What Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, initially made obligatory upon His servants were ten rak'ahs (units of prayer), in which there is recitation and no room for doubt (meaning no room for forgetfulness or error). The Messenger of Allah (sw) added seven rak'ahs, in which forgetfulness may occur but there is no obligatory recitation. So, whoever doubts during the first two (rak'ahs) must repeat (the prayer) until they are certain. However, if one doubts in the last two (rak'ahs), they should act according to their assumption."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.606 – Zurarah and Al-Fudail said: "We asked Abu Ja'far (Imam al-Baqir (as)) about the statement of Allah (swt), the Mighty Majestic: 'Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a timed decree' (Surah An-Nisa 4:103). Imam (as) replied: "It means that it is an obligatory decree (prescribed prayer) and does not refer to a specific cut-off time after which it would not be valid. If one misses the prescribed time and then performs the prayer, it would not be considered a timely (adā') prayer. If this were so, then Sulayman ibn Dawud (Solomon (as)) would have been destroyed when he prayed outside its prescribed time, but rather, whenever he remembered it, he performed it."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.607 - It is narrated from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) that He said: "One afternoon, horses were presented before Sulayman ibn Dawud (Solomon (as)), and he became preoccupied with viewing them until the sun set behind the veil (of night). He then said to the angels, 'Return the sun to me so that I may perform my prayer within its proper time,' and they returned it. He then stood and wiped his legs and neck (as an act of preparation for prayer) and commanded his companions, who had also missed the prayer, to do the same. This was their purification (wudu) for the prayer. He then performed his prayer, and once he finished, the sun set, and the stars appeared. This is the meaning of Allah’s (swt) words: 'And We granted to Dawud, Sulayman; an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one who repeatedly turned back [to Us]. When there were displayed before him in the afternoon the poised standing racehorses, He said: "Indeed, I gave preference to the love of good things over the remembrance of my Lord (azj) until it (the sun) disappeared behind the veil." [He said], "Return them to me," and he began to pass his hand over their legs and necks.' (Surah Sad 38:30-33).

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.608 - It is reported: "Allah (swt), Blessed and Exalted, returned the sun for Yusha' ibn Nun (Joshua), the successor of Musa (as), so that he could perform the prayer that he had missed within its proper time."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.609 - The Prophet, said: "In this Ummah, there will be everything that occurred in the Children of Israel, step by step and inch by inch”.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

As for during His days: Hadith.610 - It is narrated from Asma bint Umais that She said: "One day, while the Messenger of Allah (sw) was resting with his head in the lap of Ali (as), the Asr prayer passed, and the sun had set. The Prophet (sw) said: 'O’ Allah (swt), Ali was engaged in obedience to You and Your Messenger, so return the sun for him.' Asma said: 'By Allah (swt), I saw the sun set, then it rose again after it had set, and no mountain or land remained except that it was illuminated by its light until Ali (as) stood, performed ablution, and prayed. Then the sun set again.'".

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

As for after the death of the Prophet: Hadith.611 - It was narrated from Juwayriyah ibn Mus-hir that He said: "We were coming with The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as), from the battle with the Khawarij. When we reached the land of Babil (Babylon), the time for Asr prayer approached. The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) dismounted, and the people dismounted as well. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as), said: 'O’ people, this is a cursed land that has been punished three times in the past' (in another version, 'twice, and it is expecting a third punishment'). 'It is one of the overturned lands, and it was the first land where an idol was worshipped. It is not permissible for a prophet or the successor of a prophet to pray in it. Whoever among you wishes to pray may do so.' So, the people moved to the sides of the path to pray, while He (as) mounted the mule of the Messenger of Allah (sw) and continued on. Juwayriyah said: 'I said to myself, "By Allah (swt), I will follow The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) and will imitate his prayer today." So, I went after him. By Allah (swt), we did not cross the bridge of Surah until the sun had set, and I began to doubt.' He (Ali) turned to me and said: 'Juwayriyah, do you doubt?' I replied: 'Yes, O’ Commander of the Faithful (Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as))‘. He dismounted, performed ablution, stood, and uttered words that I did not understand, as if they were in Hebrew. Then he called for prayer, and I saw, by Allah (swt), the sun emerge from between two mountains, making a sound as it rose. He then prayed the Asr prayer, and I prayed with him. When we finished our prayer, the night returned to how it was. He turned to me and said: 'Juwayriyah ibn Mus-hir, Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, says: "So exalt the name of your Lord (azj), the Most Great" (Qur'an 56:74). I asked Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, by His Greatest Name, and He returned the sun for me.' It is narrated that when Juwayriyah witnessed this, He said: 'By the Lord (azj) of the Kaaba, you are the successor of a prophet.'"

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.612 - Sulayman ibn Khalid said to Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as): "May I be your ransom! Inform me about the obligations that Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, has imposed upon the servants." Imam (as) replied: "Testifying that there is no god but Allah (swt) and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (sw), establishing the five daily prayers, giving zakat, performing the pilgrimage to the House (Kaaba), fasting during the month of Ramadan, and (accepting) the wilayah (divinely ordained leadership of the Imams). Whoever fulfils these and strives to do good, draws close (to what is right), and avoids all that is forbidden will enter Paradise."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.613 - The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) used to say: "The best means by which those seeking nearness (to Allah (swt)) may draw near are; Faith in Allah (swt) and His Messenger, Striving in the way of Allah (swt), Word of sincerity (testifying that there is no god but Allah (swt)), for it is the natural disposition (fitrah), Establishing prayer for it is the religion, Giving zakat (alms) for it is one of the obligations of Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic; fasting, for it is a shield from His punishment, Fasting as it is a shield from His punishment, Pilgrimage to the House (Hajj), for it is a means of dispelling poverty and washing away sins, Maintaining family ties increases wealth and prolongs life, Charity given in secret extinguishes sin and appeases the wrath of Allah (swt) Almighty, Acts of kindness for they repel a bad death and protect against disgraceful situations. So, be truthful, for Allah (swt) is with the truthful. Avoid lying, for it distances one from faith. Know that the truthful one stands on the brink of salvation and honor, while the liar stands on the brink of disgrace and ruin. Say good words so that you are recognized by them, and act upon them so that you may be among the people of virtue. Return trusts to those who have entrusted you, maintain kinship ties even with those who cut them off, and show favour to those who deprive you”.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.614 - It is narrated from Ma'mar ibn Yahya, who said: I heard Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) say: "If you perform the five daily prayers, you will not be questioned about any other prayer, and if you observe the fast of the month of Ramadan, you will not be questioned about any other fasting."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.615 - It is narrated from 'Aidh al-Amasi that He said: "I entered upon Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) with the intention of asking him about prayer. Imam (as) began speaking before I could ask and said: 'If you meet Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, with the five daily prayers, He will not ask you about anything else.'".

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.616 - It is narrated from Mas'adah ibn Sadaqah that He said: "Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) was asked: 'Why do you not call a fornicator (Zani) a disbeliever, but you do call someone who abandons prayer a disbeliever? What is the reasoning behind this?' Imam (as) said: 'The fornicator and others like him commit such acts due to the overpowering influence of desire, which dominates them. However, the one who abandons prayer does so only out of disregard for it. You will not find a fornicator approaching a woman except that he is driven by desire and consciously seeking her out for pleasure. But anyone who deliberately abandons prayer does so intentionally, and not for pleasure. When the aspect of pleasure is removed, it becomes an act of disdain and disregard. When disdain occurs, disbelief (kufr) follows.'".

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.620 – Zurarah narrated from Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) that He said: "Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, made prayer obligatory, and the Messenger of Allah (sw) established it in ten forms: the prayer during travel, the prayer while residing, the prayer of fear in three forms, the prayer during the eclipse of the sun and moon, the prayers of the two Eid’s, the prayer for rain (Salat al-Istisqa), and the funeral prayer."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.