Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Subject: Why are we forbidden to pray at zawal time?

Dear Brother Burhan! Asalaam alaikoum

The subject of my e-mail is my question. Kindly elaborate. Thank you

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Why one cannot pray at zawaal time

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His  forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

It is forbidden to pray after the morning prayer from the sunrise until the sun has completely risen to the length of a spear above the horizon, and when the sun is at or near its meridian, and after the afternoon (asr) prayer until the sun sets.

'Amr ibn 'Abbas related that he said, "O Prophet of Allah, inform me about the prayers." He said, "Pray the morning prayer, and then abstain from prayer until sunrise and the sun has completely risen, for it rises between the horns of Shaitaan. That is when the unbelievers prostrate to it. Then pray, as your prayer will be witnessed and attended to until the shadow of a spear becomes less than its length. At that time stop praying, for at that time the hell-fire is fed with fuel. When the shade comes, you may pray, for your prayer will be witnessed and attended (to by angels) until you pray the afternoon prayer. Then abstain from praying until the sun sets, for its sets between the horns of Shaitaan, and that is when the unbelievers make prostrations to it." (Related by Ahmad and Muslim.)

The reason the Messenger of Allah (saws) forbade the believers to pray at ‘zawaal’ or near exact mid-point of the sun, is that at this very time, the Hell Fire is fed with fuel. This is the knowledge of the unseen that Allah Subhanah revealed to His Prophet (saws), and he taught it to the believers. Thus, for a believer, who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day, it is his duty to obey the Messenger of Allah (saws) in every act of his life.

Allah Subhanah taught the Prophet (saws) when to pray, and when to stop praying; and the Messenger of Allah (saws) practiced the same, and taught it to the believers.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan