It is narrated from Hazrat Ubadah bin Samit that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Soon there will be rulers among you who, due to their engagements, will delay the prayers from their prescribed times. You should perform the prayers at their proper times. A man asked, "O Messenger of Allah! If I live in that time, should I perform the prayer with them?" He replied, "Yes, if you wish, then perform it with them."

Hazrat Abdullah says that soon there will be such rulers among you who will delay the prayers from their prescribed times and will strangle them like dead bodies. When you see them doing so, perform your prayers in your homes and, with the intention of nafl (supererogatory) prayer, pray with them.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Dharr that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Perform the prayer at its prescribed time."

Hazrat A'mash says that I saw Ibrahim and Hazrat Khaythama performing the Zuhr and Asr prayers in their homes, and then coming and performing the prayer again with Hajjaj.

Hazrat Muslim narrates that during the time of Ziyad, I was sitting with Hazrat Masruq and Hazrat Abu Ubaidah. When the time for Zuhr entered, both of them performed the Zuhr prayer, then sat down, and when the muezzin gave the call to prayer, they also prayed with the imam, and they used to do the same in the Asr prayer as well.

Hazrat Abu Hashim narrates that once Hajjaj delayed the prayer, so Hazrat Abu Wa'il sat down and performed the prayer with gestures.

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that once, at Arafah, Hajjaj delayed the prayer, so Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) performed the prayer on his mount while the people were still standing. Hajjaj ordered that he be punished.

Hazrat Abdul Malik bin Umair narrates that Hazrat Abu Ubaidah used to wait for Maghrib, and when the leaders delayed the prayer, he would unfold his cloak and leave.

Hazrat Amir bin Shaqiq narrates that Hajjaj used to delay the Friday prayer. Upon this, Abu Wa'il would instruct us to perform the prayer at our homes and then come to the mosque.

Hazrat Abu Dharr narrates that my beloved friend, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), instructed me to perform the prayers at their prescribed times. Then, after you have performed your prayer, if you see that people have already prayed, your prayer is secured; and if they have not prayed, then join them—your prayer will become a voluntary (nafl) prayer.