“[The reward for] praying on time is the equivalent of a camel, and [the reward for praying] at the end of its time is the equivalent of a bird” – Prophet Muhammad (“الصلاة في أوّلها جزور وآخرها عصفور”)
To everything there is assigned a value, and as Muslims, we seek the things that are of highest value so that they can tip our balances towards Jannah. In this hadith, the Prophet explains that the reward of praying on time is much greater than the reward of praying late. The one who prays at the last minute is granted the minimum reward (like the weight of a bird which is negligible), whereas the one who prays straight after the adhan is rewarded with a much greater reward (like the weighty camel). The weight of a camel is significantly greater than the weight of a small bird, so which one will you chose?
فَأَمَّا مَن ثَقُلَتْ مَوَٰزِينُهُۥ فَهُوَ فِى عِيشَةٍ رَّاضِيَةٍ
وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوَٰزِينُهُۥ فَأُمُّهُۥ هَاوِيَةٌ
So as for those whose scale is heavy ˹with good deeds˺, they will be in a life of bliss. And as for those whose scale is light, their home will be the abyss. (Surah al-Qari’ah: 6-9)
