Fifth Condition of Salaah: Correct Time

Q. What is meant by the condition of time for saying the prayer?

A. A particular prayer should be said at its fixed time. If it is said before, it is not acceptable. If said after, it is called qadaa (missed) instead of adaa (on time).

Q. How many times during the day does a Muslim have to say fard namaaz?

A. Five times daily.

Q. Timings of Salaatul-Fajr?

A. Begins at subh saadiq (true dawn) after the fading of subh kaadhib (false dawn) and ends at sunrise. Mustahab time: when dawn light spreads, allowing ample time to pray comfortably.

Q. Timings of Namaaz-e-Zuhr?

A. Begins when the sun crosses the meridian and ends when shadows double in size. Mustahab: slightly delayed in summer to avoid heat, early in winter.

Q. Time for ‘Asr prayers?

A. Begins when shadows double in length (plus noon shadow) and ends at sunset. Avoid praying too late when sunlight fades (makrooh).

Q. Time for Maghrib prayers?

A. Begins at sunset and lasts till fading of twilight (shafaq abyad). Mustahab: beginning time; delaying without excuse is makrooh.

Twilight: Redness after sunset = shafaq ahmar, then whiteness = shafaq abyad.

Q. Timing for ‘Ishaa prayers?

A. Begins after shafaq abyad fades, lasts till true dawn (subh saadiq). Mustahab: first third of the night; mubaah till midnight; makrooh after that.

Q. Timing for Witr prayers?

A. Time starts after ‘Ishaa. Preferable: last part of night if able to wake, otherwise after ‘Ishaa before sleeping.