Prayer (Salah) — Times and Conditions

Prayer (salah) is the second pillar of Islam and the most important act of worship after the testimony of faith. Allah Most High says: "Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers at specified times" (al-Nisa 4:103). The Prophet, peace be upon him, described prayer as the pillar of the religion, and the distinguishing act between a Muslim and a disbeliever. Its importance cannot be overstated.

The Five Daily Prayers and Their Times: The five obligatory prayers are Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha. Fajr begins at true dawn (when light spreads on the horizon) and ends at sunrise. Zuhr begins when the sun passes its zenith (zawwal) and ends when the shadow of an object equals its own length plus the shadow at noon. Asr begins when the Zuhr time ends and extends, according to the Hanbali school, until the shadow of an object equals twice its length plus the noon shadow (this is the time of necessity; the preferred time ends at the first shadow-length threshold). Maghrib begins at sunset and ends when the red twilight disappears from the western horizon. Isha begins when the red twilight disappears and ends at true midnight according to the Hanbali position, with a time of necessity extending until dawn.

Conditions (Shurut) of Prayer: The following conditions must be met for prayer to be valid: (1) Islam — prayer is not valid from a non-Muslim; (2) Sanity — the insane are not obligated; (3) Discernment — children are to be instructed at seven and disciplined at ten; (4) Removal of ritual impurity — wudu for minor impurity, ghusl for major; (5) Removal of physical impurity (najasah) from the body, clothing, and place of prayer, if one has the ability; (6) Covering the awrah — for a man, the area from navel to knee; for a woman in the presence of non-mahram men, the entire body except the face and hands (and some scholars include the face); (7) Facing the qiblah (direction of the Kaaba), unless one is in a state of necessity such as severe fear or inability; (8) Entering the time of prayer — the prayer is not valid before its time; (9) Intention (niyyah) — must be present in the heart at the moment of beginning.

Who is Obligated to Pray: Prayer is obligatory upon every Muslim who has reached puberty and is of sound mind. A woman who is menstruating or in a state of nifas is exempt and does not make up these prayers. One who is traveling is permitted to shorten the four-unit prayers (see chapter on Qasr). The sick may pray sitting, lying on the side, or even with their eyes if they cannot move, making every effort to fulfill the conditions.