CONVERSATION AFTER ISHA'

CONVERSATION AFTER ISHA'

"Hadhrat Abu Barzah Aslami (radhiyallahu anhu) narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) detested sleeping before Isha and speaking after Isha."

     Commenting on this Hadith Mullah Ali Qaari says:

"This discussion deals with such talk which is prohibited after Isha' Salaat. The reference here (in the Hadith) to detestable talk is to such conversation which is (normally) permissible. As far as haraam conversation is concerned, it remains haraam at all times, not only after Isha'." (Umdatul Qaari)

It is because of the detestation for conversation after Isha' that it is Mustahab to delay Isha' Salaat until one third of the night has passed. Commenting on this fact, Badaaius Sanaa' states: "If Isha' is performed early during winter, people will generally indulge in futile conversation after the Salaat because people usually do not go to sleep before one third of the night has passed on account of the long nights (of winter). Thus they will indulge in futile talk as is their habit, and this is forbidden. Furthermore, it is best that a person's Book of Deeds (for the day) closes with worship than with sin (such as indulgence in futile talk).

All acts of futility even if permissible at other times, are prohibited after Isha' Salaat. The Qur'aan Majeed in several aayaat emphasizes that Allah Ta'ala has created the night for rest and sleep. The night is not for indulgence in futility and nonsensical activities. Squandering the time with friends, fishing, sport and idle conversation are not permissible.

Deeni activity as well as beneficial worldly activity are permissible after Isha'. The night is also the right of the wife and the family. Conversation with the wife and children after Isha' is excluded from the prohibition. Commenting on the practice of idle conversation after Isha', Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thaanvi (rahmatullah alayh) said:

"According to the Hadith conversation after Isha' is prohibited and Makrooh. This was my belief even during my student days. However, I did not at that time understand the harm of this prohibition. But, now, Alhamdulillah, I have developed such an aversion (for conversation after Isha') that, in all truth, if someone after Isha' comes and even stands in front of me, anger overwhelms me so much that I feel like putting a bullet through him. This is the effect of the suhbat (companionship) of the illustrious seniors."