The Divisions of Salat

In order to be better acquainted with the rules related to Salat, first we must point out that the Salat is of two types, Wajib or Mustahab.

The Wajib Salat is divided into two categories; some of them are a daily responsibility, meaning that every day, and at certain specific times of the day, they must be performed.

The other group are those prayers that become Wajib at specific times due to certain incidents, and these do not have a set program or schedule, and thus not performed every day.

Times for the Daily Salat

The Salat that are performed every day are five, and are 17 Rak’at in total:

• Salatul Fajr - 2 Rak’at

• Salatul Zuhr - 4 Rak’at

• Salatul ‘Asr - 4 Rak’at

• Salatul Maghrib - 3 Rak’at

• Salatul ‘Isha - 4 Rak’at

The time for Salatul Fajr is from the Adhan of Fajr until the rising of the sun – and in this period, the Salat must be read. The best time to read it is as close to the time of Adhan as possible.

The time for Salatul Zuhr and ‘Asr is from midday (according to Islamic Law) until the setting of the sun. The amount of time that one can perform a four Rak’at Salat at the beginning of midday is the prime time reserved only for Salatul Zuhr. The same amount of time that remains before the setting of the sun, is the reserved time for Salatul ‘Asr.

The time for Salatul Maghrib and ‘Isha is from Maghrib until midnight (according to Islamic Law), and that amount of time that one can perform a three Rak’at Salat at the beginning of this, is the prime time reserved only for Salatul Maghrib. The amount of time that remains before “midnight” in which one can pray a four Rak’at Salat is the specific time only for Salatul ‘Isha.

The Time for Fajr Adhan

Close to the time for the Adhan of Fajr, in the eastern sky, a white light rises

which is referred to as the first dawn. Once this whiteness spreads it is called the second dawn, and this is when the time begins for Salatul Fajr.

Midday (according to Islamic Law) and the time for Salatul Zuhr

If a stick or something like this is placed upright in the ground, it’s shadow will

fall westward when the sun rises in the morning, and as the sun continues to rise, the shadow will reduce in size. Once the shadow reaches it’s smallest size, it starts to turn to the east and will then start increasing in size once again, and at this moment, midday (according to Islamic Law) has started, and thus begins the time for Salatul Zuhr.

What is the time for Maghrib?

Maghrib is that time when the redness in the eastern sky that appears after the

setting of the sun is seen, passes overhead.

Calculating Midnight

To calculate midnight, which is the final time to perform Salatul ‘Isha, according to Ihtiyat Wajib, the time between the setting of the sun and (the time) of the Adhan of Fajr should be divided in two.