The Book of Prayer

إِذَا زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَقَدْ دَخَلَ وَقْتُ الصَّلَاتَيْنِ إِلَّا أَنَّ هَذِهِ قَبْلَ هَذِهِ. - وَ رَوَى سَعْدٌ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ وَ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ الْبَرْقِيِّ وَ الْعَبَّاسِ بْنِ مَعْرُوفٍ جَمِيعاً عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ وَ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ الْبَرْقِيِّ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ‌ مِثْلَهُ وَ فِيهِ دَخَلَ وَقْتُ الظُّهْرِ وَ الْعَصْرِ جَمِيعاً وَ زَادَ ثُمَّ أَنْتَ فِي وَقْتٍ مِنْهُمَا جَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when the sun declines (toward the west at noontime), it is the time for two Salah (prayer) except that this is before that.” “Also Sa‘d has narrated from al-Husayn ibn Sa’eed and Muhammad ibn Khalid al-Barqiy and al- ‘Abbas ibn Ma’ruf all from al-Qasim and Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘I

سَأَلَهُ إِنْسَانٌ وَ أَنَا حَاضِرٌ فَقَالَ رُبَّمَا دَخَلْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ وَ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا يُصَلُّونَ الْعَصْرَ وَ بَعْضُهُمْ يُصَلُّونَ الظُّهْرَ فَقَالَ أَنَا أَمَرْتُهُمْ بِهَذَا لَوْ صَلَّوْا عَلَى وَقْتٍ وَاحِدٍ عُرِفُوا فَأُخِذَ بِرِقَابِهِمْ.

I have commanded them to do so; were they to perform at one time they would have been recognized and caught by their necks.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَمَّا جَاءَ فِي الْحَدِيثِ أَنْ صَلِّ الظُّهْرَ إِذَا كَانَتِ الشَّمْسُ قَامَةً وَ قَامَتَيْنِ وَ ذِرَاعاً وَ ذِرَاعَيْنِ وَ قَدَماً وَ قَدَمَيْنِ مِنْ هَذَا وَ مِنْ هَذَا[1] فَمَتَى هَذَا وَ كَيْفَ هَذَا وَ قَدْ يَكُونُ الظِّلُّ فِي بَعْضِ الْأَوْقَاتِ نِصْفَ قَدَمٍ قَالَ إِنَّمَا قَالَ ظِلُّ الْقَامَةِ وَ لَمْ يَقُلْ قَامَةُ الظِّلِّ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ ظِلَّ الْقَامَةِ يَخْتَلِفُ مَرَّةً يَكْثُرُ وَ مَرَّة

“I once asked abu ‘Abdullah (a.s.), about the meaning of Hadith that says, ’Perform al- Dhuhr Salah (prayer) when the sun is equal to one length or two, one yard or two or one step or two steps from this and from there. When is it and how is it? At certain times is half of one step.’ He (the Imam) said that in the Hadi

إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ الظُّهْرَ فَقَدْ دَخَلَ وَقْتُ الْعَصْرِ إِلَّا أَنَّ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهَا سُبْحَةً[3] فَذَلِكَ إِلَيْكَ إِنْ شِئْتَ طَوَّلْتَ وَ إِنْ شِئْتَ قَصَّرْتَ.

8. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman from Misma’ ibn ‘Abd Malik who has said the following: “He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘When you complete al-Dhuhr Salah (prayer), it is time for al- ‘Asr Salah (prayer) except that before it there is Na

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ وَقْتُ الْمَغْرِبِ إِذَا ذَهَبَتِ الْحُمْرَةُ مِنَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَ تَدْرِي كَيْفَ ذَاكَ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ لِأَنَّ الْمَشْرِقَ مُطِلٌّ عَلَى الْمَغْرِبِ هَكَذَا وَ رَفَعَ يَمِينَهُ فَوْقَ يَسَارِهِ فَإِذَا غَابَتْ هَاهُنَا ذَهَبَتِ الْحُمْرَةُ مِنْ هَاهُنَا.

‘It is time for al-Maghrib Salah (prayer) when the redness disappears in the east. Do you know how it happens? 5 I replied, ‘No, I do not know. 5 He (the Imam) said that it is because the east is under-hanged in relation to the west like this. 5 He (the Imam) raised his right hand over his left hand. ‘When it is sunset

إِذَا غَابَتِ الْحُمْرَةُ مِنْ هَذَا الْجَانِبِ يَعْنِي مِنَ الْمَشْرِقِ فَقَدْ غَابَتِ الشَّمْسُ مِنْ شَرْقِ الْأَرْضِ وَ غَرْبِهَا.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), ‘When the redness disappears from this side, that is, from the east, it is proof that it is sunset in the east and west.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ حِجَاباً مِنْ ظُلْمَةٍ مِمَّا يَلِي الْمَشْرِقَ‌[1] وَ وَكَّلَ بِهِ مَلَكاً فَإِذَا غَابَتِ الشَّمْسُ اغْتَرَفَ ذَلِكَ الْمَلَكُ غُرْفَةً بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبَلَ بِهَا الْمَغْرِبَ يَتْبَعُ الشَّفَقَ وَ يُخْرِجُ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ قَلِيلًا قَلِيلًا وَ يَمْضِي فَيُوَافِي الْمَغْرِبَ عِنْدَ سُقُوطِ الشَّفَقِ فَيُسَرِّحُ [فِي الظُّلْمَةِ] الظُّلْمَةَ ثُمَّ يَعُودُ إ

"Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah has created a barrier of darkness from near the east and has appointed for it an angel. When it is sunset, that angel fills up his hand with it, then faces toward the west, following the brightness and it moves out of his two hands little by little. He passes by until he comes t

وَقْتُ سُقُوطِ الْقُرْصِ وَ وُجُوبِ الْإِفْطَارِ أَنْ تَقُومَ بِحِذَاءِ الْقِبْلَةِ وَ تَتَفَقَّدَ الْحُمْرَةَ الَّتِي تَرْتَفِعُ مِنَ الْمَشْرِقِ فَإِذَا جَازَتْ قِمَّةَ الرَّأْسِ إِلَى نَاحِيَةِ الْمَغْرِبِ‌[3] فَقَدْ وَجَبَ الْإِفْطَارُ وَ سَقَطَ الْقُرْصُ.

"Abu ’Abd Allah has said, ‘The disappearance of the disk (the sun), the necessary time to discontinue fasting is when facing its direction and the disappearance of the redness that rise from the east upon its reaching overhead toward the west at such time fasting is discontinued; the (disappearance of the disk (sunset)

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ وَقْتُ الْمَغْرِبِ إِذَا غَابَ الْقُرْصُ فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ وَ قَدْ صَلَّيْتَ فَأَعِدِ الصَّلَاةَ[4] وَ مَضَى صَوْمُكَ وَ تَكُفُّ عَنِ الطَّعَامِ إِنْ كُنْتَ أَصَبْتَ مِنْهُ شَيْئاً.

"The time for Maghrib is when the disc (of the sun) has disappeared. If you see (the sun) after that and you have prayed, then repeat the prayer, and your fast remains valid. You should refrain from food if you have eaten anything."

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ عُمَرَ بْنَ حَنْظَلَةَ أَتَانَا عَنْكَ بِوَقْتٍ قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذاً لَا يَكْذِبُ عَلَيْنَا قُلْتُ قَالَ وَقْتُ الْمَغْرِبِ إِذَا غَابَ الْقُرْصُ إِلَّا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ إِذَا جَدَّ بِهِ السَّيْرُ أَخَّرَ الْمَغْرِبَ وَ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَهَا وَ بَيْنَ الْعِشَاءِ فَقَالَ صَدَقَ وَ قَالَ وَقْتُ الْعِشَاءِ حِينَ يَغِيبُ الشَّفَقُ إِلَى ثُلُثِ اللَّيْل

“I once said to abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), that ’Umar ibn Hanzalah has reported something from you about the timing. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘Rest assured, he does not forge untrue reports from us.’ I said that he has said, ’It is the time of sunset when the disk disappears (sunset takes place) except that the Messeng

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ وَقْتُ الْمَغْرِبِ إِذَا غَرَبَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَغَابَ قُرْصُهَا.

‘It is time for al-Maghrib Salah (prayer) when it is sunset and its (sun’s) disc disappears.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ وَقْتِ الْمَغْرِبِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ جَبْرَئِيلَ ع أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ص لِكُلِّ صَلَاةٍ بِوَقْتَيْنِ غَيْرَ صَلَاةِ الْمَغْرِبِ فَإِنَّ وَقْتَهَا وَاحِدٌ وَ وَقْتَهَا وُجُوبُهَا[1].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the time of al-Maghrib. He (the Imam) said that Jibril brought to the Holy prophet, two timings for every Salah (prayer) except al-Maghrib Salah (prayer). The time for al-Maghrib is when it becomes obligatory.’”

أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِنَّ لِكُلِّ صَلَاةٍ وَقْتَيْنِ غَيْرَ الْمَغْرِبِ فَإِنَّ وَقْتَهَا وَاحِدٌ وَ وَقْتَهَا وُجُوبُهَا وَ وَقْتَ فَوْتِهَا سُقُوطُ الشَّفَقِ‌[2]. - وَ رُوِيَ أَيْضاً أَنَّ لَهَا وَقْتَيْنِ آخِرُ وَقْتِهَا سُقُوطُ الشَّفَقِ. وَ لَيْسَ هَذَا مِمَّا يُخَالِفُ الْحَدِيثَ الْأَوَّلَ إِنَّ لَهَا وَقْتاً وَاحِداً لِأَنَّ الشَّفَقَ هُوَ الْحُمْرَةُ وَ لَيْسَ بَيْنَ غَيْبُوبَةِ الشَّمْسِ وَ بَيْنَ غَيْبُوبَةِ

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘For every Salah (prayer) there are two timings except al- Maghrib; its timing is one and it is the time when it becomes obligatory. It ends with the disappearance of al-Shafaq (redness in the west).”’ “It is also narrated that there are two timings for al-Maghrib and it ends with the disa

سَأَلَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَسْبَاطٍ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع وَ نَحْنُ نَسْمَعُ الشَّفَقُ الْحُمْرَةُ أَوِ الْبَيَاضُ فَقَالَ الْحُمْرَةُ لَوْ كَانَ الْبَيَاضُ كَانَ إِلَى ثُلُثِ اللَّيْلِ.

‘It is the redness; in the case of the condition of whiteness, it (virtuous time for al-Maghrib) remains up to one third of the night.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَتَى تَجِبُ الْعَتَمَةُ- قَالَ إِذَا غَابَ الشَّفَقُ وَ الشَّفَقُ الْحُمْرَةُ فَقَالَ عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ إِنَّهُ يَبْقَى بَعْدَ ذَهَابِ الْحُمْرَةِ ضَوْءٌ شَدِيدٌ مُعْتَرِضٌ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ الشَّفَقَ إِنَّمَا هُوَ الْحُمْرَةُ وَ لَيْسَ الضَّوْءُ مِنَ الشَّفَقِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about when al-‘Atmah (al-‘Isha’) becomes obligatory? He (the Imam) said, ‘When al-Shafaq (redness) disappears. Al-Shafaq is the redness.’ ‘Ubayd Allah then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, after the disappearance of redness there remains a strong light visible.’ Abu ‘Abd All

إِذَا غَرَبَتِ الشَّمْسُ دَخَلَ وَقْتُ الصَّلَاتَيْنِ إِلَّا أَنَّ هَذِهِ قَبْلَ هَذِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When it is sunset, it is time for two Salah (prayer) except that this is before that.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَوْ لَا أَنْ أَشُقَّ عَلَى أُمَّتِي لَأَخَّرْتُ الْعِشَاءَ إِلَى ثُلُثِ اللَّيْلِ. - وَ رُوِيَ أَيْضاً إِلَى نِصْفِ اللَّيْلِ.

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "If it were not for the difficulty it would cause my community, I would have delayed the 'Isha prayer until one-third of the night." It has also been narrated that he would have delayed it until half the night.

قَالَ: وَقْتُ الْمَغْرِبِ فِي السَّفَرِ إِلَى رُبُعِ اللَّيْلِ.

‘The time for al-Maghrib Salah (prayer) on a journey remains until passing of one-fourth of the night.’”

كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ‌[1] الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ فِي الدَّارِ تَمْنَعُهُ حِيطَانُهَا النَّظَرَ إِلَى حُمْرَةِ الْمَغْرِبِ وَ مَعْرِفَةَ مَغِيبِ الشَّفَقِ وَ وَقْتِ صَلَاةِ الْعِشَاءِ الْآخِرَةِ مَتَى يُصَلِّيهَا وَ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ فَوَقَّعَ ع يُصَلِّيهَا إِذَا كَانَ عَلَى هَذِهِ الصِّفَةِ عِنْدَ قَصْرَةِ النُّجُومِ‌[2] وَ الْمَغْرِبَ عِنْدَ اشْتِبَاكِهَا وَ بَيَاضُ مَغِيبِ الشَّمْسِ قَصْرَةُ النُّجُومِ إِلَى بَيَانِهَا.

‘He performs it (al-‘Isha’) when on this side, stars appear and al-Maghrib when just few stars appear. The clarity of sunset is from the appearance of few stars until their clearly becoming visible.’”

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى الرِّضَا ع ذَكَرَ أَصْحَابُنَا أَنَّهُ إِذَا زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَقَدْ دَخَلَ وَقْتُ الظُّهْرِ وَ الْعَصْرِ وَ إِذَا غَرَبَتْ دَخَلَ وَقْتُ الْمَغْرِبِ وَ الْعِشَاءِ الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا أَنَّ هَذِهِ قَبْلَ هَذِهِ فِي السَّفَرِ وَ الْحَضَرِ وَ أَنَّ وَقْتَ الْمَغْرِبِ إِلَى رُبُعِ اللَّيْلِ فَكَتَبَ كَذَلِكَ الْوَقْتُ غَيْرَ أَنَّ وَقْتَ الْمَغْرِبِ ضَيِّقٌ وَ آخِرُ وَقْتِهَا ذَهَابُ الْحُمْرَةِ وَ مَصِيرُ

“I once, wrote to al-Rida’ (a.s.), to ask a question. ‘Our people have said that when the sun declines toward the west at noontime, it is the time of al-Dhuhr and al-‘Asr Salah (prayers). When it is sunset it is time of al-Maghrib and al-‘Isha’ al-Akhirah Salah (prayers) except that this is before this. It is the same

كَتَبَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ بْنُ الْحُصَيْنِ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِي ع‌ مَعِي جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَدِ اخْتَلَفَتْ مُوَالُوكَ فِي صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يُصَلِّي إِذَا طَلَعَ الْفَجْرُ الْأَوَّلُ الْمُسْتَطِيلُ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يُصَلِّي إِذَا اعْتَرَضَ فِي أَسْفَلِ الْأُفُقِ وَ اسْتَبَانَ وَ لَسْتُ أَعْرِفُ أَفْضَلَ الْوَقْتَيْنِ فَأُصَلِّيَ فِيهِ فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ أَنْ تُعَلِّمَنِي أَفْضَلَ ال

1. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibn Mahziyar from who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan ibn al-Husayn once wrote to Abu Ja‘far, al-Thaniy, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘With me, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, people of your followers disagree on timing of dawn Salah (

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَخْبِرْنِي بِأَفْضَلِ الْمَوَاقِيتِ فِي صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ فَقَالَ مَعَ طُلُوعِ الْفَجْرِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ‌ وَ قُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ إِنَّ قُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ كانَ مَشْهُوداً[1] يَعْنِي صَلَاةَ الْفَجْرِ تَشْهَدُهُ مَلَائِكَةُ اللَّيْلِ وَ مَلَائِكَةُ النَّهَارِ فَإِذَا صَلَّى الْعَبْدُ الصُّبْحَ مَعَ طُلُوعِ الْفَجْرِ أُثْبِتَتْ لَهُ مَرَّتَيْنِ أَثْبَتَهَا مَلَائِكَةُ ا

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), to teach me about the most excellent time for the morning Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) (a.s.), said, ‘About the coming of dawn, Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, “You must perform Salah (prayer)) and the recitation at dawn. The recitation at dawn certainly was witnessed.”

الصُّبْحُ هُوَ الَّذِي إِذَا رَأَيْتَهُ مُعْتَرِضاً كَأَنَّهُ بَيَاضُ سُورَى‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Dawn is when you find a white line like the whiteness of Sur 5 (a certain section of Euphrates river in Iraq) 5 ”

وَقْتُ الْفَجْرِ حِينَ يَبْدُو حَتَّى يُضِي‌ءَ.

‘The time for morning Salah (prayer) is when it (the white line) appears until the coming out of rays (of the sun).’”

وَقْتُ الْفَجْرِ حِينَ يَنْشَقُّ الْفَجْرُ إِلَى أَنْ يَتَجَلَّلَ الصُّبْحُ السَّمَاءَ[3] وَ لَا يَنْبَغِي تَأْخِيرُ ذَلِكَ عَمْداً لَكِنَّهُ وَقْتٌ لِمَنْ شُغِلَ أَوْ نَسِيَ أَوْ نَامَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The time for morning Salah (prayer) begins when dawn opens, until morning (with rays) brightens the sky. It is not proper to delay purposely; however, there is time for those who are preoccupied, forget or are sleeping.”

ِ الْعَسْكَرِيِّ ع قَالَ: إِذَا انْتَصَفَ اللَّيْلُ ظَهَرَ بَيَاضٌ فِي وَسَطِ السَّمَاءِ شِبْهُ عَمُودٍ مِنْ حَدِيدٍ تُضِي‌ءُ لَهُ الدُّنْيَا فَيَكُونُ سَاعَةً ثُمَّ يَذْهَبُ وَ يُظْلِمُ فَإِذَا بَقِيَ ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ ظَهَرَ بَيَاضٌ مِنْ قِبَلِ الْمَشْرِقِ فَأَضَاءَتْ لَهُ الدُّنْيَا فَيَكُونُ سَاعَةً[1] ثُمَّ يَذْهَبُ وَ هُوَ وَقْتُ صَلَاةِ اللَّيْلِ ثُمَّ يُظْلِمُ قَبْلَ الْفَجْرِ ثُمَّ يَطْلُعُ الْفَجْرُ الصَّادِ

“Abu al-Hassan, al-‘Askariy (a.s.), has said, ‘At midnight a white spot appears in the middle of the sky like a pillar of iron, because of which it gives light in the world. This is there for an hour, then it goes out and it becomes dark. When there is one-third of the night left, whiteness appears in the east, which g

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[2] عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ بِاللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ إِذَا لَمْ تُرَ الشَّمْسُ وَ لَا الْقَمَرُ وَ لَا النُّجُومُ قَالَ اجْتَهِدْ رَأْيَكَ وَ تَعَمَّدِ الْقِبْلَةَ جُهْدَكَ‌[3].

Strive to come up with your best opinion about al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah).’”

قَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا رُبَّمَا اشْتَبَهَ الْوَقْتُ عَلَيْنَا فِي يَوْمِ الْغَيْمِ فَقَالَ تَعْرِفُ هَذِهِ الطُّيُورَ الَّتِي عِنْدَكُمْ بِالْعِرَاقِ يُقَالُ لَهَا الدِّيَكَةُ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ إِذَا ارْتَفَعَتْ أَصْوَاتُهَا وَ تَجَاوَبَتْ فَقَدْ زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ أَوْ قَالَ فَصَلِّهْ‌[4].

“A man from our people once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘In a cloudy day sometimes the identifying the exact time becomes confusing.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Are you aware of the existence of these birds, in Iraq, called al-Dikah (rooster)?’ He (the man) replied, ‘Yes, I am aware.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘When they raise

إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ وَ أَنْتَ عَلَى غَيْرِ الْقِبْلَةِ فَاسْتَبَانَ لَكَ أَنَّكَ صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى غَيْرِ الْقِبْلَةِ وَ أَنْتَ فِي وَقْتٍ فَأَعِدْ فَإِنْ فَاتَكَ الْوَقْتُ فَلَا تُعِدْ.

‘You may perform a Salah (prayer) without facing al- Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah). You must perform it again, only if you realize it in time. If the time is gone, it is not obligatory for you to perform it again.’”

فِي رَجُلٍ صَلَّى الْغَدَاةَ بِلَيْلٍ غَرَّهُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الْقَمَرُ وَ نَامَ حَتَّى طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَأُخْبِرَ أَنَّهُ صَلَّى بِلَيْلٍ قَالَ يُعِيدُ صَلَاتَهُ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about a man who performs the morning Salah (prayer) during the night mistakenly because of moon light and then goes to sleep until sunrise and he then is informed of having performed his morning Salah (prayer) during the night, has said, ‘He must perform it again.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي رَجُلٌ مُؤَذِّنٌ فَإِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْغَيْمِ لَمْ أَعْرِفِ الْوَقْتَ فَقَالَ إِذَا صَاحَ الدِّيكُ ثَلَاثَةَ أَصْوَاتٍ وِلَاءً فَقَدْ زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَ قَدْ دَخَلَ وَقْتُ الصَّلَاةِ[1].

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I am a Mu’adhdhin (caller for Salah (prayer)). On a cloudy day I cannot find when time for a Salah (prayer) begins.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘When the rooster crows three times consecutively, it is time when the sun has declined toward the west at noontime, thus it is time for Salah

مَنْ صَلَّى فِي غَيْرِ وَقْتٍ فَلَا صَلَاةَ لَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One who performs a Salah (prayer) when it is not its time; his Salah (prayer) is not valid.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يُجْزِئُ التَّحَرِّي أَبَداً[2] إِذَا لَمْ يُعْلَمْ أَيْنَ وَجْهُ الْقِبْلَةِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Al-Taharriy (investigation) is always sufficient in the issue of finding al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah).’”

فِي رَجُلٍ صَلَّى عَلَى غَيْرِ الْقِبْلَةِ فَيَعْلَمُ وَ هُوَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَفْرُغَ مِنْ صَلَاتِهِ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ مُتَوَجِّهاً فِيمَا بَيْنَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَ الْمَغْرِبِ فَلْيُحَوِّلْ وَجْهَهُ إِلَى الْقِبْلَةِ سَاعَةَ يَعْلَمُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مُتَوَجِّهاً إِلَى دُبُرِ الْقِبْلَةِ فَلْيَقْطَعِ الصَّلَاةَ ثُمَّ يُحَوِّلُ وَجْهَهُ إِلَى الْقِبْلَةِ ثُمَّ يَفْتَتِحُ الصَّلَاةَ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a man may perform a Salah (prayer) without facing proper al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah). He may realize it before completing the Salah (prayer). If his face is within one hundred eighty degrees of the al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah) he must turn to al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah) as soon as he realizes. If his

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ فِي قَفْرٍ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ‌[3] فِي يَوْمِ غَيْمٍ فَيُصَلِّي لِغَيْرِ الْقِبْلَةِ ثُمَّ يُصْحِي‌[4] فَيَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ صَلَّى لِغَيْرِ الْقِبْلَةِ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ قَالَ‌ إِنْ كَانَ فِي وَقْتٍ فَلْيُعِدْ صَلَاتَهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مَضَى الْوَقْتُ فَحَسْبُهُ اجْتِهَادُهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who is in unpopulated land on a cloudy day and performs Salah (prayer) facing a wrong direction. Clouds then clear and he finds out about his Salah (prayer) having been performed facing a wrong direction. What he must do? He (the Imam) said, ‘If there is still time, he m

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قِبْلَةِ الْمُتَحَيِّرِ فَقَالَ يُصَلِّي حَيْثُ يَشَاءُ. - وَ رُوِيَ أَيْضاً أَنَّهُ يُصَلِّي إِلَى أَرْبَعِ جَوَانِبَ‌[1].

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah) for one who is confused. He (the Imam) said, ‘He performs as he wishes.’ It is also narrated that he performs Salah (prayer) facing four directions.”

إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ وَ أَنْتَ تَرَى أَنَّكَ فِي وَقْتٍ وَ لَمْ يَدْخُلِ الْوَقْتُ فَدَخَلَ الْوَقْتُ وَ أَنْتَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَقَدْ أَجْزَأَتْ عَنْكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If you perform Salah (prayer) and you think it is time, when in fact is not time yet, but the time comes when you are still performing that Salah (prayer) it is sufficient.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ هَلْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يُصَلِّي إِلَى بَيْتِ الْمَقْدِسِ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَقُلْتُ أَ كَانَ يَجْعَلُ الْكَعْبَةَ خَلْفَ ظَهْرِهِ فَقَالَ أَمَّا إِذَا كَانَ بِمَكَّةَ فَلَا وَ أَمَّا إِذَا هَاجَرَ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ فَنَعَمْ حَتَّى حُوِّلَ إِلَى الْكَعْبَةِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Did the Messenger of Allah perform Salah (prayer) facing Bayt al-Maqdis?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Yes, he did so.’ I then asked, ‘Would he turn his back toward al-Ka‘bah?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘When in Makkah he did not do so; but when he migrated to al-Madinah, he did so until h

صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِالنَّاسِ الظُّهْرَ وَ الْعَصْرَ حِينَ زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ مِنْ غَيْرِ عِلَّةٍ وَ صَلَّى بِهِمُ الْمَغْرِبَ وَ الْعِشَاءَ الْآخِرَةَ قَبْلَ سُقُوطِ الشَّفَقِ مِنْ غَيْرِ عِلَّةٍ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ وَ إِنَّمَا فَعَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لِيَتَّسِعَ الْوَقْتُ عَلَى أُمَّتِهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah (sw) performed the Dhuhr and ‘Asr prayers when the sun declined (toward the west at noontime) in congregation without any reason. He also performed the Maghrib and Isha’ prayers in congregation before disappearing of al-Shafaq (redness) without any reason to do so. The Messenger of Allah (sw) di

شَهِدْتُ الْمَغْرِبَ لَيْلَةً مَطِيرَةً فِي مَسْجِدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَحِينَ كَانَ قَرِيباً مِنَ الشَّفَقِ نَادَوْا وَ أَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ فَصَلَّوُا الْمَغْرِبَ ثُمَّ أَمْهَلُوا بِالنَّاسِ حَتَّى صَلَّوْا رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ قَامَ الْمُنَادِي فِي مَكَانِهِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ[2] فَصَلَّوُا الْعِشَاءَ ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ النَّاسُ إِلَى‌ مَنَازِلِهِمْ فَسَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَال

“I once was present in Masjid of the Messenger of Allah, during the time of al-Maghrib Salah (prayer) in a rainy evening. When it was near al-Shafaq (redness), they called and performed Salah (prayer) of al-Maghrib. People were given time to perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer), then the caller stood in his place in Masji

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا جَمَعْتَ بَيْنَ الصَّلَاتَيْنِ فَلَا تَطَوَّعْ بَيْنَهُمَا.

“I once heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.), say, ‘If you perform two Salah (prayer), one after the other, do not perform optional Salah (prayer) between them.”’

الْجَمْعُ بَيْنَ الصَّلَاتَيْنِ إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ بَيْنَهُمَا تَطَوُّعٌ فَإِذَا كَانَ بَيْنَهُمَا تَطَوُّعٌ فَلَا جَمْعَ.

“Muhammad ibn Hakim narrated to me that he had heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.), say, ‘Performing two Salah (prayer) soon one after the other is when no optional Salah (prayer) is performed between them. When optional Salah (prayer) is performed between them, they are not performed soon one after the other.’”

صَلَّى بِنَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الظُّهْرَ وَ الْعَصْرَ عِنْدَ مَا زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ بِأَذَانٍ وَ إِقَامَتَيْنِ وَ قَالَ إِنِّي عَلَى حَاجَةٍ فَتَنَفَّلُوا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), performed with us al-Dhuhr and al-‘Asr Salah (prayer) after the sun declined (toward the west at noontime), with one Adhan and two ‘Iqamah, and said, ‘I need to do something, so you can perform optional Salah (prayer).”’

تَفَرَّقَ مَا كَانَ فِي يَدِي وَ تَفَرَّقَ عَنِّي حُرَفَائِي‌[1] فَشَكَوْتُ ذَلِكَ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع‌[2] فَقَالَ لِي اجْمَعْ بَيْنَ الصَّلَاتَيْنِ الظُّهْرِ وَ الْعَصْرِ تَرَى مَا تُحِبُّ.

“My belongings and associates were scattered and I complained about it before abu Muhammad (a.s.). He (the Imam) said, ‘Perform al-Dhuhr and al-‘Asr Salah (prayer) soon after the other; you will see whatever you love.’”

خَمْسُ صَلَوَاتٍ تُصَلِّيهِنَّ فِي كُلِّ وَقْتٍ صَلَاةُ الْكُسُوفِ وَ الصَّلَاةُ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ وَ صَلَاةُ الْإِحْرَامِ وَ الصَّلَاةُ الَّتِي تَفُوتُ وَ صَلَاةُ الطَّوَافِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ إِلَى طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ‌[3] وَ بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘There are five Salah (prayer) which you can perform anytime you want. Such Salah (prayer) are because of eclipse, for a deceased, for ihram, for making up a missed one, for Tawaf from dawn to sunrise and after al-‘Asr until night.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ خَمْسُ صَلَوَاتٍ لَا تُتْرَكُ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ إِذَا طُفْتَ بِالْبَيْتِ وَ إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تُحْرِمَ وَ صَلَاةُ الْكُسُوفِ وَ إِذَا نَسِيتَ فَصَلِّ إِذَا ذَكَرْتَ وَ صَلَاةُ الْجِنَازَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Five Salah (prayer) are not neglected in any condition. Such Salah (prayer) are after performing Tawaf, when you are about to have Ihram, for eclipse, to make up when remembering one forgotten and Salah (prayer) for a deceased.’”

أَرْبَعُ صَلَوَاتٍ يُصَلِّيهِنَّ الرَّجُلُ فِي كُلِّ سَاعَةٍ صَلَاةٌ فَاتَتْكَ فَمَتَى مَا ذَكَرْتَهَا أَدَّيْتَهَا وَ صَلَاةُ رَكْعَتَيِ الطَّوَافِ الْفَرِيضَةِ وَ صَلَاةُ الْكُسُوفِ وَ الصَّلَاةُ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ هَؤُلَاءِ تُصَلِّيهِنَّ فِي السَّاعَاتِ كُلِّهَا.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘There are four kinds of Salah (prayer) which a man can perform anytime. Such are Salah (prayer) after remembering a forgotten one, two Rak‘at after obligatory Tawaf, because of eclipse and Salah (prayer) for a deceased. You can perform these kinds of Salah (prayer) at any hour.’”

قَالَ لِي أَ تَدْرِي لِمَ جُعِلَ الذِّرَاعُ وَ الذِّرَاعَانِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لِمَ قَالَ لِمَكَانِ الْفَرِيضَةِ لَكَ أَنْ تَتَنَفَّلَ مِنْ زَوَالِ الشَّمْسِ إِلَى أَنْ يَبْلُغَ ذِرَاعاً فَإِذَا بَلَغَ ذِرَاعاً بَدَأْتَ بِالْفَرِيضَةِ وَ تَرَكْتَ النَّافِلَةَ[2].

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), once said to me, ‘Do you know why one and two yards are set?’ I (the narrator) said, ‘Why are they set?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is because of obligatory Salah (prayer). You can perform optional Salah (prayer) soon after the sun declines (to the west at noontime) until it become one yard, but if

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْوَقْتِ الَّذِي لَا يَنْبَغِي لِي [أَنْ يَتَنَفَّلَ‌] إِذَا جَاءَ الزَّوَالُ قَالَ ذِرَاعٌ إِلَى مِثْلِهِ.

‘When it is one yard until it is like it (twice as much).”’

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَأْتِي الْمَسْجِدَ وَ قَدْ صَلَّى أَهْلُهُ أَ يَبْتَدِئُ بِالْمَكْتُوبَةِ أَوْ يَتَطَوَّعُ فَقَالَ إِنْ‌ كَانَ فِي وَقْتٍ حَسَنٍ‌[1] فَلَا بَأْسَ بِالتَّطَوُّعِ قَبْلَ الْفَرِيضَةِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ خَافَ الْفَوْتَ مِنْ أَجْلِ مَا مَضَى مِنَ الْوَقْتِ فَلْيَبْدَأْ بِالْفَرِيضَةِ وَ هُوَ حَقُّ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ثُمَّ لْيَتَطَوَّعْ بِمَا شَاءَ أَلَا هُوَ مُوَسَّعٌ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ الْإِنْسَانُ

“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