Is it permissible for the practices followed in the mosque to close it in the morning and delay the Dhuhr prayer by three hours after its adhān, under the pretext of reviving the Sunnah of cooling, despite the availability of mosques equipped with modern cooling systems and their proximity to the worshippers, and the majority of worshippers complaining about this innovation?

It is recommended to delay the Dhuhr prayer during intense heat, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "When the heat intensifies, delay the prayer until it cools down, for the intensity of the heat is from the exhalation of Hellfire." If the heat is not intense, delaying it is not prescribed. Scholars have differed on whether delaying the prayer is prescribed when the heat is intense but does not cause hardship to people; the view of it being prescribed is more likely. The majority of scholars recommend delaying Dhuhr prayer during intense heat until the time cools down and the scorching heat subsides.

They differed on the limit of delaying the prayer: some said until one-third of the prayer time, and others said until half of it. They agreed, however, that it should not be delayed until the very end of the time. Therefore, if what the congregation does is in accordance with the prescribed practice of delaying the prayer, it is not described as an innovation. But if it leads to people's aversion and discontent, then abandoning it is better.