Question:
In hadith we find the instruction to recite certain supplications in the morning and evening, including the supplication called Sayyidul Istighfar, the chief supplication for seeking forgiveness. Some narrations say it should be recited in the morning and night, while others say morning and evening. Are “evening” and “night” the same, or are they different times?
Answer:
When hadith uses the word evening, it refers to the time beginning when the sun sets and night begins. During the time of the Prophetﷺ this usage was common.
For example, in Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 1958) Abu Awfa reports that he was travelling with the Prophetﷺ while fasting. They continued fasting until evening arrived. As soon as evening came, the Prophetﷺ asked someone to prepare a drink made from flour so that he could break his fast.
The companion said: “Should we wait until it becomes darker?” But the Prophetﷺ said: “Prepare it.” Then he explained that when the night begins from this side, the fasting person has broken his fast.
This shows that evening refers to the beginning of night, meaning the time of Maghrib.
Therefore, when hadith says morning and evening, it means:
- Morning – from Fajr until Maghrib
- Evening – after Maghrib (night)
So, the supplications for morning and evening may be recited any time after Maghrib during the night.