Performing Optional Salah (Prayer) at the Time of Obligatory Salah (Prayer) and the Times Not to Perform Salah (Prayer)

“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 you begin the obligatory one, you do not perform optional Salah (prayer).”’

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the time when I should not perform any optional Salah (prayer) after the sun declines toward the west at noontime. He (the Imam) replied, ‘When it is one yard until it is like it (twice as much).”’

“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 time may end, he must begin the obligatory, which is the right of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, then perform optional Salah (prayer) whatever he wants. The time for optional Salah (prayer) is longer. One can perform in the beginning of the time for obligatory optional ones, unless one is afraid of passing of the time of obligatory one. It is better when one performs alone to begin with obligatory, if it is time for it, so that it is performed during the excellent time which is in the beginning of time. It is not prohibited to perform optional Salah (prayer) at the beginning of time up to near the end of the time.’”

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), ‘Can I perform optional Salah (prayer) in the time for obligatory one?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Yes, you can do so in the beginning of time if you are with the Imam who leads you in Salah (prayer). If you are alone, then perform the obligatory first.’”

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘When the time for obligatory Salah (prayer) comes, should I perform optional Salah (prayer) or begin the obligatory one?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is better to begin with obligatory. Al-Dhuhr is delayed to one yard from Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime) by one yard for Salah (prayer) of repentant people.’”

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘When the time for obligatory Salah (prayer) comes, can I perform optional Salah (prayer) or begin with obligatory Salah (prayer)?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is better to begin with the obligatory Salah (prayer).”’

“They had heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), would not perform Salah (prayer) during the day until Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime). During the night he would not perform any Salah (prayer) after al-‘Isha’ up until midnight. It means that it is not time for obligatory or optional Salah (prayer); the Messenger of Allah has defined all times. However, to perform a make-up for obligatory or performing optional Salah (prayer) before or after is not harmful.’”

Yes, Iblis has found a throne between the sky and earth. When the sun rises and people prostrate at that time, Iblis then says to his other Satans, ‘Children of Adam perform Salah (prayer) for me.’”

“I once said to abu al-Hassan al-Thaniy (a.s.), ‘In the market place I come to know that it is time but it becomes difficult (to perform Salah (prayer)) after I enter the market place (for business).’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Satan nears the sun during three conditions, at sunrise, Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime) and at sunset. You must perform Salah (prayer) after Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime); Satan wants to mislead you from the right path.’”