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Performing Zuhr Later During the Summer Months PDF Print E-mail
SALAAH.. The Book of Prayer - Times of Salaah

Performing Zuhr Later During the Summer Months

Q: Salaah-1: The practice of performing the Zuhr salaah half-an-hour to three quarters of an hour later during summer has quickly taken root in many places. The time for Zuhr has always been the same before, regardless of the season. Was there no summer then or did the people not feel the heat during those times? Despite the air-conditioning and fans in the Masjids nowadays, people make the excuse of heat for performing Zuhr later. This excuse however does not apply on Fridays for the Jumu'ah salaah, which is performed at the same time as always. Is there any reason for all of this? Please explain.

Answer: According to our Hanafi Madh'hab, it is Mustahab to delay the Zuhr slightly during summer, when people are able to walk in the shadows of walls (as they proceed for salaah). Shaami and others have stipulated that the Zuhr salaah be delayed only up to a Mithal (the time when the shadows of things are equal in length to the original). It may not be delayed further than this.

The proof of this is the famous Hadith reported by Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah RADI. in which Rasulullaah SAW. said, "When the heat is intense, perform the salaah in a cool time, for the intense heat is from the fire of Jahannam.
Another Hadith from Hadhrat Abu Sa'eed Khudri RADI. states that Rasulullaah SAW. said, "Perform Zuhr when the day is cool because the intense heat is from the fire of Jahannam.

Hadhrat Abu Dharr RADI. reports that they were with Rasulullaah SAW. when the Mu'adhin wanted to call out the Adhaan for Zuhr. Rasulullaah SAW. told him to wait until the day grew cooler. When he got Lip to call out the Adhaan a while later. Rasulullaah SAW. repeated the instruction. the Sahabah RADI. report that when they eventually saw the hills casting shadows (when shadows were close to one Mithal), Rasulullaah SAW. told the Muadhin to call out the Adhaan, adding, "The intensity of heat is from the fire of jahannam, so perform salaah during the cool time when you see that the heat is less intense.

Although the narration of Hadhrat Abu Dharr RADI. reports an incident that took place on a journey, the ruling is equally applicable when not on a journey because the reason of intense heat applies in both situations. The Ahadeeth make it clear that it is best to delay the Zuhr salaah during summer anci they also mention that when walking for Zuhr, the Sahabah RADI. used to walk in the shadows of the walls (it must be remembered that walls were low during those times).

As for the Jumu'ah salaah, some Fuqahaa have judged it on the same grounds as the Zuhr salaah. However, because the Ahadeeth mention Zuhr and not Jumu'ah and because there is no evidence from the lives of Rasulullaah SAW. and the Sahabah RADI. to support performing the Jumu'ah salaah late, it would be inappropriate to do so. Furthermore, it was the practice of the Sahabah RADI. also of people today to proceed early for the Jumu'ah salaah and because a lot of time gets spent for the khutbah and the Jumu'ah salaah, it would be inconvenient to delay it. It is for these reasons that most of the Fuqahaa do not advise delaying the Jumu'ah salaah.

Because Allaah commands hastening to do good deeds, it would be best to do so. However, certain deeds will be delayed when Rasulullaah SAW. has commanded them. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.2