The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: The time of the noon prayer is when the sun passes the meridian and a man's shadow is the same (length) as his height, (and it lasts) as long as the time for the afternoon prayer has not come; the time for the afternoon prayer is as long as the sun has not become pale; the time of the evening prayer is as long as the twilight has not ended; the time of the night prayer is up to the middle of the average night and the time of the morning prayer is from the appearance of dawn, as long as the sun has not risen; but when the sun rises, refrain from prayer for it rises between the horns of the devil.
The Book of Mosques and Places of Prayer - Sahih Muslim 612 d
This noble hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) establishes the divinely appointed times for the five daily prayers, which constitute the pillars of Islamic worship. The meticulous delineation of these temporal boundaries reflects the wisdom of Allah in structuring the believer's day around remembrance of the Creator.
Commentary on Prayer Times
The noon prayer (Dhuhr) begins precisely at midday when the sun passes its zenith, indicated by the shortening of shadows until they equal the object's height. This period extends until the commencement of Asr, ensuring ample time for congregation and individual performance.
The afternoon prayer (Asr) continues while the sun remains bright and distinct, before it takes on yellowish hues. Scholars note this indicates preference for early performance to avoid negligence.
The evening prayer (Maghrib) immediately follows sunset and persists until the red twilight vanishes from the horizon. This brief period emphasizes promptness in fulfilling this obligation.
The night prayer (Isha) extends until midnight of the average night, calculated from sunset to dawn. This accommodates various circumstances while maintaining discipline.
The morning prayer (Fajr) begins with the true dawn's horizontal light and concludes at sunrise. The prohibition against prayer during sunrise stems from avoiding resemblance to sun-worshippers and heeding the Prophet's warning about this being a time when devils gather.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
These divinely ordained timings teach Muslims discipline, awareness of celestial movements, and constant consciousness of Allah throughout the day's cycle. The specific boundaries prevent arbitrariness in worship and unite the global Muslim community in synchronized devotion.
The exclusion of sunrise, midday, and sunset for voluntary prayers directs worship away from times associated with polytheistic practices, preserving the purity of Islamic monotheism. The careful timing also ensures prayers are offered in their most spiritually receptive moments.