وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ طَرَفَىِ ٱلنَّهَارِ وَزُلَفًۭا مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلْحَسَنَـٰتِ يُذْهِبْنَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ذِكْرَىٰ لِلذَّٰكِرِينَ (11:114)

“Establish prayer ˹O Prophet˺(saw) at both ends of the day and in the early part of the night. Surely good deeds wipe out evil deeds. That is a reminder for the mindful.”

Life makes unrelenting demands on us. From one task to the next, one deadline to the other, our minds are always churning, our feet hardly touching the ground. Then isn't it a favour from our Lord that He has asked us to pause, take a breather for ourselves, and unwind? To brush away all thoughts of this world and turn to Him; face Him in salah and empty our burdens at His door? 

Salah, the second of the five pillars of Islam, is the tether that keeps us from drifting away. It is as though Allah is making sure we check in at the five Islamic prayer times. In turn, we draw strength from the fact that we are not alone, that He is listening. 

إِنَّنِىٓ أَنَا ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱعْبُدْنِى وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِذِكْرِىٓ  (20:14)

“It is truly I. I am Allah! There is no God ˹worthy of worship˺, except Me. So worship Me ˹alone˺, and establish prayer for My remembrance.”

Salah is not just about being in Allah’s presence five times a day but also about being there on time. Being punctual in our prayers, we surrender ourselves completely to Allah’s Supreme Authority. It is a testament to our utter humility before our Maker, our absolute submission to Allah’s decree. 

So, just as dawn breaks and the day spreads out before us, we continue to pause our worldly pursuits and turn to Allah, repeatedly bowing and prostrating, renewing our promise to stay faithful, to stay true. And in this affirmation, we find peace, that no matter what befalls us, Allah will guide us every step of the way.   

In this article, we will discuss the Islamic prayer times and the Divine wisdom behind each timing. 

Fajr: The Morning Prayer

The Islamic prayer time for Fajr sets in when a red glow appears along the horizon of the night sky. This is the true dawn, the subah-e-Sadiq. The Fajr prayer invites the devotees to wake up and pray to Allah, and this window lasts till just before sunrise.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:” The time for Fajr prayer is from the breaking of dawn, so long as the sun has not started to rise.” (Narrated by Muslim, 612). 

So, while the world is still deep in slumber, and the dawn is yet to crack, the muazzin calls for the Fajr prayer. The Mu’mins are invited into His lofty presence. We have these peaceful moments all to ourselves, whispering to our Lord, pouring out our hopes and dreams, and opening up about our fears without restraint. 

The beauty of the Fajr salah is that the mu’mins rise even before the sun does, leaving the comforts of their beds and bowing down to Him, seeking His mercy. During these early hours, we face no worldly distractions and hear no noisy diversions. It is just us and our Lord and a calm blanket of darkness.

It surely is a struggle to leave the coziness and comfort of our beds while it is still dark, a daily battle between our sleepy bodies and our devoted hearts. But as Muslims, we choose to rise, strengthening our willpower and mastering our desires. Isn't this sacrifice of our bodily comfort a show of complete surrender, a testament to our unwavering commitment to Allah? 

As we wake up early for salah, we are gifted a chance to witness the breathtaking interplay of colours as the sun rises. These magical moments of beauty remind us of the awe-inspiring greatness of its Artist, making us keenly aware of His Divine presence. 

And that’s not all! When we wake up for Fajr, we help our circadian rhythm regulate our sleep patterns, alertness and appetite, among other body functions. Muslims who follow a daily routine according to the Islamic prayer times, enjoy improved sleep quality and wake up rejuvenated daily. Studies have shown that early risers display increased focus, and with fewer distractions, they are in the perfect zone for focused work.

So, all we need is to bow down to the Divine Will and get countless worldly rewards in the bargain! 

This morning prayer serves as a reminder to us of the promise we have made Allah to stay faithful and steadfast. It is a preparation to start a new day with renewed energy and the enthusiasm to spend it in light of His Divine Will. 

Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 10, Number 548:

Narrated Abu Bakr bin Abi Musa:

My father said, "Allah's Apostle said, 'Whoever prays the two cool prayers ('Asr and Fajr) will go to Paradise.' "

Therefore, no matter how tired you are, however sleepy, do not miss out on the serenity offered by this pre-dawn salah, the Fajr prayer.

Zuhr: The Mid-day Prayer

When the sun moves just beyond its peak, the time for the Zuhr prayer begins. This moment marks the mid-point between sunrise and sunset. The time for Zuhr lasts till it is time for the Asr salah. 

The Zuhr prayer is offered at the midpoint of the day. When we are entirely preoccupied with worldly affairs, this time of salah offers us a chance to take a break. We make a deliberate effort to break free from the clutches of our daily demands and connect with our Creator. 

It gives us a chance to immerse ourselves in the remembrance of the Divine, to take refuge in this sanctuary, and to find our focus again.

Allah’s mercy and wisdom are evident in the following narration about the Zuhr salah.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 10, Number 513:

Narrated Abu Sa'id:

Allah's Apostle said, "Pray Zuhr prayer when it becomes (a bit) cooler as the severity of heat is from the raging of the Hell-fire."

So, we should respond to Allah’s mercy with devotion by embracing the comfort of the Zuhr salah.

Asr: The Afternoon Prayer

Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 10, Number 519:

Narrated Aisha:

“The Prophet(saw) used to pray the 'Asr prayers at a time when the sunshine was still inside my chamber, and no shadow had yet appeared in it.

The Asr Salah is observed late in the afternoon when objects cast a shadow as long as the object itself. The exact prayer timings for Asr change with the season and location. However, praying this salah until the sun turns yellow is permissible. The time for Asr ends before sunset.

As the shadows become longer and the daylight begins to lose intensity, Allah calls us to pause again. He calls us to apply those brakes, step back, and reconnect with the Divine. The act of bowing and prostrating in His presence during peak work hours is a testament to our complete surrender to Allah. This act of worship at Asr is a show of humility, that whatever the time of day or night, whatever demands are being made on our time, Allah comes first! That no matter how busy we are, and how preoccupied, His remembrance is always at the top of our minds. 

This narration about Asr emphasises the significance of this salah.

Narrated Ibn 'Umar:

Allah's Apostle(saw) said, "Whoever misses the 'Asr prayer (intentionally), then it is as if he lost his family and property."

Therefore, protect your connection with Allah by safeguarding this Asr salah.

Maghrib: The Evening Prayer

The time for the Maghrib salah begins immediately after the sun sets. This time lasts till the red glow has completely disappeared from the horizon. This period of twilight marks the transition from evening to night. As for how late you can pray Maghrib, make sure to complete it while there is still some light in the sky.

The Islamic prayer time of Maghrib holds profound significance. It allows us to wrap up our activities smoothly and remember Allah with gratitude for the blessings bestowed during the day.

It is a humbling experience for the mu’mins as we witness the transformation of the day into night. Nothing is permanent, the setting sun tells us. And hard on the heels of that realisation is another stronger one; soon, we will move on. So stay detached; don’t get so immersed in this life, so invested, that when the time comes to leave, we are not prepared.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 10, Number 536:

Narrated Salama:

“We used to pray the Maghrib prayer with the Prophet(saw) when the sun disappeared from the horizon.”

So follow the sunnah of the Prophet (saw) and bow down in prayer after sunset with devotion and humility. 

Isha: The Night Prayer

When the twilight has faded completely and darkness has set in, the Mu’mins are called for the Isha prayer. 

At the culmination of the day, we are provided with this opportunity to unwind and connect with Allah again. This is a time for reflection, a chance for repentance. As the world is enveloped by silence, the Isha salah offers us a peaceful haven from the mad rush of the world. It serves as a reminder to stay mindful of the real purpose of our existence and then aim to strike a balance between the deen and Duniya.

As we wrap up our day, the Isha salah lulls us into a state of rest, ready for a serene night. In these troubling times, when peaceful sleep eludes us, where insomnia abounds, and restlessness is prevalent, Isha guides us to a tranquil night.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 10, Number 543:

Narrated Abu Barza:

“Allah's Apostle disliked to sleep before the 'Isha' prayer and to talk after it.”

So let this serve as a final act of devotion from the believer to the Creator.

Final Word

Staying punctual in our salahs can be a challenge. When we are engrossed in worldly affairs, these moments of connection may slip our minds. Hence, it is crucial to plan our days around the salah timings (and not the other way around). And there are ways it can be done.

Making use of mobile apps like the Prayerly App or setting alarms, we can get timely reminders. By designating a special space in our homes and offices, we will be constantly aware of the significance of the prayer times. At the same time, relying on the prayer timetables of the local masjids will help us stay on track. But most importantly, making dua will bring Allah’s assistance.

There is a beautiful plea in the dua of Ibrahim AS.

رَبِّ ٱجْعَلْنِى مُقِيمَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِى ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَآءِ (14:40)

“My Lord! Make me and those (believers) of my descendants keep up prayer. Our Lord! Accept my supplication.”

May our eyes be open to the wisdom behind the salah timings. As we bow down in prayer, let us realise this is not just an obligation but an act of devotion and love for the Al-Hakeem, the All-Wise.