What is the legal ruling on the authenticity of traditions regarding the specific divisions of prayer times?
Chapter on Prayer Times
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
The view held is that there is nothing definitively established regarding specific fixed times for the beginning, middle, and end of the prayer times, such as specific measurements of forgiveness or pleasure. If those traditions regarding specific timing divisions were established, then the specific narrations regarding Isha delay would take precedence over general narrations, especially given the established authenticity of the delaying narrations compared to the weakness of the opposing narrations.
Supporting text
The Hadith stating, "The first time is the pleasure of Allah," is narrated by Abdullah bin Umar Al-Omari, who is weak. The Hadith of Umm Furwah is supported by unknown narrators. Imam Ahmad stated that he knows nothing authentically established concerning the specific timings of prayer as measures of pleasure or pardon.