Question:
What is meant by the two cool prayers in the hadith?
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
Based on the question presented, the hadith meant is narrated by Imam al-Bukhari in his Sahih book in the chapter of the virtues of Fajr prayer and it is also narrated by Imam Muslim in his Sahih in the chapter of the virtues of two prayers which are Subh and Asr as well as the importance of observing these two:
- Narrated by Abu Musa al-Ash’ari RA, the Prophet PBUH said:
مَنْ صَلَّى الْبَرْدَيْنِ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ
He who observed two prayers at two cool (hours) would enter Paradise
[Sahih al-Bukhari (574) and Sahih Muslim (635)]
Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani said when commenting on this hadith, the prayers meant are Fajr and Asr. This is proven by the hadith of Jarir RA:
صَلاَةٍ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ، وَقَبْلَ غُرُوبِهَا
"A prayer before the rising of the sun (Fajr) and before its setting (`Asr)."
[Sahih al-Bukhari (554)]
Besides, there is an addition of the narration of Imam Muslim that the prayers meant are Asr and Subh. [See: Fath al-Bari, 2/53]
Besides, Imam Badr al-Din al-‘Aini also states that the meaning of two cool prayers are Fajr and Asr prayers. He also cited the opinion of al-Qurtubi that most scholars said the meaning of two cool prayers are Fajr and Asr. It is named as such due to its performance in two cool (not hot) time. Imam al-Khattabi said they are named as two cool prayers as both of them are performed during the day when it is cool. [See: Umdah al-Qari, 5/71]
Besides, there are rewards for those who observe these two prayers properly of which they will be blessed with paradise. Imam al-Qurtubi said those who observe these prayers properly shall never be sent to hellfire due to the blessing he got when he observes them continuously. [See: al-Mufhim, 2/262]
Conclusion
In conclusion, the hadith on two cool prayers is a hadith muttafaqun ‘alaih which means it is narrated by Imam al-Bukhari and Muslim. While the meaning of two cool prayers is Fajr or Subh and Asr prayers. May this brief explanation give benefit and understanding for us to understand the science of Hadith. Lastly, may Allah SWT give us understanding in this religion so that we may practice it accordingly. Ameen.
Wallahua’lam.