Timing

Fajr: From the entrance of true dawn until [right before] sunrise.

Ẓuhr: From [immediately after] midday (zawaal) until [the time] when the shadow of any object is twice its own length, or [according to a second opinion] equivalent to its own length, excluding the amount of shadow at midday. Imām Tahāwì preferred the second opinion, which is that of the two companions [Abū Yusuf and Muḥammad].

‘Aṣr: From the ending time of Ẓuhr (for which there are two opinions, as stated above) until [right before] sunset.

Maghrib: From the ending time of ‘Aṣr [sunset] until the disappearance of the red twilight.

‘Īsha’: From the ending time of Maghrib until [right before] Fajr.

The following times are recommended (mustaḥabb):

• For Fajr, when light begins to appear (isfār)
• For Ẓuhr in the summer, when the weather becomes cooler
• For ‘Aṣr, to delay it until before the sun changes (when its light weakens near sunset)
• For Ẓuhr in the winter and for Maghrib [always], to pray as soon as the time enters
• In cloudy weather, to pray ‘Aṣr and ‘Īsha’ as soon as the time enters; while for the other prayers, to delay them somewhat

There are three times of the day in which any prayer that was obligatory before these times is rendered invalid if performed in these times:

• At sunrise (until the sun has risen sufficiently above the horizon; follow a reliable local timetable for the end of this interval)
• At midday (when the sun is at its zenith, before it begins to decline; the exact interval depends on location and the timetable used)
• At sunset, except for ‘Aṣr (when the sun begins to dim during the last portion of the day before sunset; roughly 15-20 minutes before sunset, though it depends on many factors, such as the latitude and time of the year)

It is disliked to pray voluntary prayers in the following times:

• The three times mentioned above
• During the Jumu’ah khutbah (Friday prayer sermon; specifically, once the imām appears or stands up for it, until the prayer itself is completed)
• After true dawn, other than the two sunnah rak‘ahs of Fajr before its obligatory prayer; after the obligatory Fajr prayer, voluntary prayer waits until the sunrise restriction has ended
• After the ‘Aṣr prayer is performed, until sunset

According to the Ḥanafī school, it is not valid to combine any two obligatory prayers in one prayer time, except at ‘Arafāt and Muzdalifah; that is, the pilgrim on Ḥajj may combine Ẓuhr and ‘Aṣr [in the time of Ẓuhr on the Day of ‘Arafāh], and must delay Maghrib and [the time of] ‘Īsha’ at Muzdalifah.

Prohibited and disliked prayer times — Hanafi guidance →