When Are the 5 Daily Prayers Performed? What Is Prayer Time?
WHAT IS PRAYER TIME?
According to What Are Prayer Times Determined?
Prayer times are determined according to the movements of the sun and the moon. These calculations vary depending on astronomical changes.
What Is the Time of Imsak?
Imsak (imsāk, abstaining), means restraining oneself, refraining from something, self-control, and holding back. The time of imsak is the starting time for the morning prayer and for fasting. The “imsak time” indicated in calendars shows the time when those who wish to fast must stop eating and drinking and begin the fast, and at the same time, it also indicates the entry of the time for the morning prayer. After the time of imsak has entered, the morning prayer may be performed.
Time for the Morning Prayer (ṣalāt al-fajr)
The time for the morning prayer is the period from the appearance of the second dawn (true dawn) until sunrise.
Time for the Noon Prayer (ṣalāt al-ẓuhr)
The time for the noon prayer is from zawāl (when the shadow is shortest and begins to lengthen) until the shadow of everything, apart from the zawāl shadow, reaches twice its length. According to imams other than Imām al-Aʿẓam (Abū Ḥanīfa), it lasts until the shadow of everything, apart from the zawāl shadow, reaches its own length.
Time for the Friday Prayer (ṣalāt al-jumʿa)
The time for the Friday prayer is exactly the same as the time for the noon prayer.
Time for the Afternoon Prayer (ṣalāt al-ʿaṣr)
The time for the afternoon prayer is from the end of the noon prayer time until sunset.
Time for the Evening Prayer (ṣalāt al-maghrib)
The time for the evening prayer is from sunset until the disappearance of the redness in the west and, after that, the disappearance of the white twilight that appears behind it.
Time for the Night Prayer (ṣalāt al-ʿishāʾ)
The time for the night prayer is from the end of the evening prayer time until the second dawn, that is, the appearance of the dawn. However, the witr prayer is not performed before the night prayer. Since these times are calculated according to the sun, and the movements of the sun can be known through the science of astronomy, determining them according to the calendar is easier.
Time for the Witr Prayer (ṣalāt al-witr)
The beginning of the time for the witr prayer is after the night prayer. The end of its time is shortly before the appearance of the second dawn. For someone who is not sure they will wake up, it is more virtuous to perform the witr prayer before sleeping; for someone who is sure they will wake up, it is more virtuous to delay it until the end of the night.
Time for the Tarawih Prayer (ṣalāt al-tarāwīḥ)
The time for the tarawih prayer is after the night prayer and continues until the time for the morning prayer. Tarawih may be performed either before or after the witr prayer. However, if the tarawih prayer is performed before the night prayer, it must be repeated.
Time for the Eid Prayer (ṣalāt al-ʿīd)
The time for the Eid prayer begins after the sun has risen and the disliked time (karāha) has passed, and continues until the sun reaches its highest point in the sky (istiwāʾ).
How Is a Missed Prayer (qaḍāʾ) Performed?
A missed prayer (qaḍāʾ) can be performed at any time except during disliked times (makrūh). Provided that it does not fall into a disliked time, it may also be performed after the morning and afternoon prayers.