Is it recommended to delay (cool down, 'Ibraad') the Dhuhr prayer during times of intense heat?
Chapter on Prayer Times
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
It is legislatively recommended to delay the Dhuhr prayer when the heat is intense, as this practice stems from the explicit command of the Prophet (peace be upon him), 'When the heat intensifies, cool down the prayer, for the intensity of the heat is from the exhalation of Hell.' This hadith, narrated by the major collectors from Abu Hurairah, is general in application. The general ruling, according to the apparent meaning of the hadith and the view of Ahmad, Ishaq, the People of Opinion, and Ibn al-Mundhir, is that cooling down the prayer is recommended in all circumstances of intense heat, whether in winter or summer. Cooling down means delaying the prayer until the heat subsides and the shadows lengthen, as evidenced by the hadith of Abu Dharr where the Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded to wait until the shadow of the elevated land ('at-tulul') was visible. This delay should not extend to the very end of the permissible time; rather, one should finish praying with a significant portion of the time remaining until the time expires. The measurement of delay varied: three footsteps in summer and five to nine footsteps in winter, according to Ibn Mas'ud's report.
Supporting text
The jurist Al-Qadi stipulated three conditions for the recommendation of delaying: intense heat, being in hot regions, and performing the prayer in congregational mosques. If one prays at home or in a mosque adjacent to their residence, hastening the prayer is superior. This aligns with the view of Al-Shafi'i, arguing that the delay is intended to allow the heat to break, provide more time for people to attend the congregation, which is irrelevant for those praying alone. However, Al-Qadi later stated in Al-Jami' that there is no difference between hot or other regions, nor between whether the mosque is frequented by people or not, citing that Ahmad used to delay the prayer in his own mosque which did not fit the congregational criteria.