It is often argued that the Prophet's inadequate actions would form part of a teachable moment. So in this case, it shows the importance of making promises you

It is often argued that the Prophet's inadequate actions would form part of a teachable moment. So in this case, it shows the importance of making promises you can keep, having failsafe measures etc., that Bilal could have done. Not sure if that's one of the traditional opinions in this case, but seems plausible. See here: http://ilookilisten.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/when-a-prayer-gets-delayed-hadith-no-569/ http://ilookilisten.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/when-a-prayer-g... --- Also, there is no mention that the Prophet himself had not woken up for the pre-dawn prayers. But that could be a stretch.