Volume 4, Book 56, Number 665:
Narrated Ibn Umar:
Allah’s Apostle said, “Your period (i.e. the Muslims’ period) in comparison to the periods of the
previous nations, is like the period between the ‘Asr prayer and sunset. And your example in com –
parison to the Jews and the Christians is like the example of a person who employed some laborers
and asked them, ‘Who will work for me till midday for one Qirat each?’ The Jews worked for half a
day for one Qirat each. The person asked, ‘Who will do the work for me from midday to the time of
the ‘Asr (prayer) for one Qirat each?’ The Christians worked from midday till the ‘Asr prayer for one
Qirat. Then the person asked, ‘Who will do the work for me from the ‘Asr till sunset for two Qirats
each?’ ” The Prophet added, “It is you (i.e. Muslims) who are doing the work from the Asr till sunset,
Volume 4 – 805 / 1700
SAHIH BUKHARI VOLUME 4 > BOOK 56: VIRTUES AND MERITS OF THE PROPHET (PBUH) AND HIS COMPANIONS
so you will have a double reward. The Jews and the Christians got angry and said, ‘We have done
more work but got less wages.’ Allah said, ‘Have I been unjust to you as regards your rights?’ They
said, ‘No.’ So Allah said, ‘Then it is My Blessing which I bestow on whomever I like. “