Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 334

Abomination of Holding Conversation after 'Isha' (Night) Prayer

باب كراهة الحديث بعد العشاء الآخرة

This chapter looks at how the believer treats the hours around the night prayer. It draws a simple thread: do not slip into sleep before praying Isha, and do not fritter the night away in idle talk once it is done.

Yet the same hours can be filled well. The chapter also holds out the reward of patiently waiting for the prayer, turning what might be wasted time into something counted in our favour with Allah.

Hadith 1746

Abu Barzah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

عن أبي برزة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يكره النوم قبل العشاء والحديث بعدها‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) disliked going to bed before the 'Isha' (night) prayer and indulging in conversation after it." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

The Prophet disliked two habits around the night prayer: dozing off before praying Isha, and staying up in pointless chatter afterward. The lesson is to pray on time and let the night settle into rest.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1746 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 236

Hadith 1747

Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said:

وعن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم صلى العشاء في آخر حياته، فلما سلم، قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏أرأيتكم ليلتكم هذه‏؟‏ فإن على رأس مائة سنة لا يبقي ممن هو على ظهر الأرض اليوم أحد‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

Once, towards the end of his life, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) concluded the 'Isha' (night) prayer and said, "After one hundred years from tonight none of the people on the surface of the earth will survive." [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

Speaking near the end of his life, the Prophet noted that everyone then alive would have passed on within a hundred years. It is a reminder that no generation lasts and our time here is short.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1747 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 237

Hadith 1748

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

وعن أنس رضي الله عنه أنهم انتظروا النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فجاءهم قريبًا من شطر الليل فصلى بهم، يعني العشاء، قال‏:‏ ثم خطبنا فقال‏:‏ ‏ "‏ألا إن الناس قد صلوا‏.‏ ثم رقدوا، وإنكم لن تزالوا في صلاة ما انتظرتم الصلاة‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه البخاري‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

Once the Prophet (ﷺ) delayed the 'Isha' (night) prayer till midnight. He (ﷺ) turned to us after the prayer and said, "All the people slept after offering their prayers, but you who waited, will be accounted as if you were engaged in your prayer throughout the period." [Al- Bukhari].

In plain words

When the Prophet led a very late Isha, he told those who had waited that their patience counted as if they had spent that whole time in prayer. Waiting for worship is itself rewarded.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1748 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 238