Chapter: As for the Morning Prayer (ṣalāt al-ṣubḥ), performing it while it is still dark (al-taghlīs) is superior. This is the view of Mālik, al-Shāfiʿī, and Isḥāq. It has been narrated from Abū Bakr, ʿUmar, Ibn Masʿūd, Abū Mūsā, Ibn al-Zubayr, and ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz that which indicates this. Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr said: It has been authenticated from the Messenger of God—peace and blessings of God be upon him—and from Abū Bakr, ʿUmar, and ʿUthmān that they used to perform it while it was still dark, and it is impossible that they would abandon what is superior to perform what is inferior, for they were the ultimate in performing virtuous deeds. It is narrated from Aḥmad—may Allah have mercy on him—that the consideration is the state of the followers (maʾmūmīn); if they have reached the time of light (isfār), then performing it in the light is superior, because the Prophet—peace and blessings of God be upon him—used to do that in the Evening Prayer (ʿishāʾ), as Jābir mentioned, so it is the same for the Dawn Prayer (fajr). Al-Thawrī and the scholars of opinion (aṣḥāb al-raʾy) said: Performing it in the light is superior, due to what Rāfiʿ ibn Khadīj narrated, saying: I heard the Messenger of God—peace and blessings of God be upon him—say: "Perform the Dawn Prayer in the light, for it is greater in reward." Al-Tirmidhī said: This is a Hasan (Good) Sahih (Authentic) hadith. Our evidence is what has preceded from the hadith of Jābir and Abū Barzah, and the statement of ʿĀʾishah—may God be pleased with her: The Messenger of God—peace and blessings of God be upon him—used to pray the Morning Prayer, and the women would depart wrapped in their outer garments, not being recognized due to the darkness. This is agreed upon. And from Abū Masʿūd al-Anṣārī, that the Messenger of God—peace and blessings of God be upon him—performed it