Hadith 763

Narrated by Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), he reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Your lifespan is similar to the lifespans of those who came before you, from the time of the 'Asr prayer until sunset. Your situation is like that of the Jews and Christians. It is like a man who employed workers and said: 'Who will work for me until midday for one qirat?' The Jews worked until midday for one qirat. Then he said: 'Who will work for me from midday until the 'Asr prayer for one qirat?' The Christians worked from midday until the 'Asr prayer for one qirat. Then he said: 'Who will work for me from the 'Asr prayer until sunset for two qirats?' You are those who work from the 'Asr prayer until sunset for two qirats, two qirats. You will have double the reward.' The Jews and Christians became angry and said: 'We worked more, but we received less.' Allah, the Exalted, said: 'Did I wrong you in any way?' They said: 'No.' Allah, the Exalted, said: 'This is My grace. I give it to whom I will.'" [Narrated by al-Bukhari] This hadith supports the view of our scholar Imam Abu Hanifah: "The beginning of 'Asr is when the shadow of everything becomes equal to its size," as it is inconceivable that the Christians worked more than this Ummah except by considering this time period.