• I heard Ishaq say: "If a man is having his dinner and hears the iqamah, it is permissible for him to finish his dinner, unless his dinner is different from the dinner of the people, such that it takes a long time, in which case he should begin the prayer. This is because the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would not occupy themselves with meals in the way the people of our time do.

If a man desires to call for his dinner while he is alone, and he delays the dinner and goes out to the congregation, that is permissible for him. However, if he is with a group, he should not do so, because of the inconvenience that would cause his companions.

1236 - Ishaq narrated to us, he said: Jarir informed us, from Hisham ibn 'Urwah, from his father, from 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), she said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "If dinner is served and the prayer has been established, then begin with the dinner."

1237 - Ahmad ibn Hanbal narrated to us, he said: Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Rahman al-Tafawi narrated to us, he said: Ayyub narrated to us, from Abu Qilabah, from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "If dinner is served and the prayer has been established, then begin with the dinner."

1238 - Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr narrated to us, he said: Yahya narrated to us, from 'Ubayd Allah, from Nafi', from Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both), from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), he said: "If the dinner of one of you is served and the prayer has been established, he should not stand up until he finishes."