❖ The Timings of Salah – A Quranic & Prophetic Command
﴿إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَّوْقُوتًا ﴾“Indeed, the prayer has been enjoined upon the believers at prescribed times.”
(Surah An-Nisa: 103)
The Prophet ﷺ, when asked about the most virtuous deed, said:
«الصلاة فى أول وقتها»
“To offer the prayer at its earliest appointed time.”
(Tirmidhi 170, Abu Dawood 452, Mishkat 607)
❖ ✦ Time for Fajr (Dawn) Prayer
➤ Begins from the appearance of true dawn until sunrise.«وقت صلاة الصبح من طلوع الفجر ما لم تطلع الشمس»
(Sahih Muslim 612/173)
➤ It is narrated that the women would return home after the Prophet ﷺ prayed Fajr while it was still dark, and they could not be recognized due to the darkness.
(Bukhari 867, Muslim 645)
❖ ✦ Time for Dhuhr (Noon) Prayer
➤ Begins when the sun passes its zenith until a person’s shadow becomes equal in length to their height.(Sahih Muslim 612/173)
➤ During intense heat, it is recommended to delay slightly.
(Bukhari 533)
➤ Suwayd ibn Ghaflah said: “We used to pray Dhuhr at the beginning of its time behind Abu Bakr and Umar رضي الله عنهما.”
(Ibn Abi Shaybah 1/323, No. 3271)
❖ ✦ Time for Asr (Afternoon) Prayer
➤ Begins when the shadow equals the length of the object until the sun turns yellow.(Sahih Muslim 612/173)
➤ The Prophet ﷺ prayed Asr while the sun was still high and white without any yellowish tinge.
(Muslim 613)
➤ Delaying Asr unnecessarily is a sign of hypocrisy:
“The hypocrite waits until the sun is between the horns of the devil, then he stands and pecks out four (quick rak‘ahs), barely remembering Allah therein.”
(Muslim 622)
❖ ✦ Time for Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer
➤ Begins at sunset and continues until the red twilight disappears.(Muslim 612/174)
➤ The Prophet ﷺ would pray it immediately after sunset.
(Bukhari 550)
❖ ✦ Time for Isha (Night) Prayer
➤ Extends from the disappearance of twilight until midnight.(Muslim 612/173)
➤ The Prophet ﷺ would consider the congregation’s timing; he prayed earlier if they gathered early, and later if they came late.
(Bukhari 560, Muslim 646)
❖ ✦ Time for Jumu'ah (Friday) Prayer
➤ Begins after the sun passes the zenith.(Bukhari 904)
➤ The companions would eat and nap after praying Jumu’ah, showing that it was prayed early.
(Bukhari 939, Muslim 859)
❖ 
Prohibited Times for Voluntary Prayers
️ When the sun is rising until it fully rises.️ When the sun is at its zenith until it starts declining.️ During sunset until it sets completely.(Muslim 832)
❖ ✦ Important Issues Concerning Prayer Times
✔ No prohibited time in Masjid al-Haram.(Abu Dawood 1899, Nasa’i 2927, Tirmidhi 898, Ibn Majah 1254)
✔ If a prayer starts at a valid time and a prohibited time begins during it, it may be completed.
(Bukhari 556, Muslim 608)
✔ Prohibition applies only to voluntary prayers without specific cause.
Bilal رضي الله عنه was heard by the Prophet ﷺ entering Paradise due to voluntary prayers after each ablution.
(Bukhari 1149, Muslim 2458)
✔ Missed prayers should be offered when remembered, regardless of time.
«فكفارتها أن يصليها إذا ذكرها»
(Muslim 684)
✔ Upon entering a mosque, two rak‘ahs should be offered before sitting.
(Bukhari 444, Muslim 714)
✔ When Iqamah is announced, no other prayer is to be performed.
(Muslim 710, Musnad Ahmad 2/331)
This was supported by renowned scholars including:
Sufyan al-Thawri, Abdullah ibn Mubarak, Imam Shafi‘i, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Ishaq ibn Rahwayh, Ibn Khuzaymah, Ibn Hibban, Ibn Abdul Barr, al-Khattabi, Ibn al-Jawzi, al-Nawawi, Ibn al-Qayyim, and Ibn Hajar.
