The Book of the Prayer
2/8. Chapter:
The Time Of The 'Isha' Prayer
Sunan Ibn Majah
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، وَعَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ نُمَيْرٍ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " لَوْلاَ أَنْ أَشُقَّ عَلَى أُمَّتِي لأَخَّرْتُ صَلاَةَ الْعِشَاءِ إِلَى ثُلُثِ اللَّيْلِ أَوْ نِصْفِ اللَّيْلِ " .
It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: "The Messenger of Allah said: 'Were it not that it would be too difficult for my Ummah, I would have delayed the 'Isha' prayer until one third or one half of the night had passed.'"
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 691In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 25English translation : Vol. 1, Book 2, Hadith 691