| The Times of the Five Daily Prayers |
| Fajr From dawn until just before sunrise.
Dhuhr After the sun’s zenith until late afternoon. Asr From late afternoon until just before sunset. Maghrib From sunset until just before twilight (when the sky turns completely dark). Isha’ From twilight until dawn.
All these prayers must be prayed at the times mentioned above. However, there are exceptions for when it is permissible to combine prayers. For example, (Dhuhr and Asr) or (Maghrib and Isha‘) may be prayed right after each other. You can combine these two prayers when you are traveling, if you are sick, very sleepy, very tired, or if you cannot control your schedule (classes or work). These are the exceptions and should not become the norm.
If you are praying at the Masjid (mosque) in a congregation, and there are bad weather conditions, like rain, snow, ice, etc., then it is permissible to combine these pairs of prayers. You can pray the earlier prayer at the time of the later prayer or vice versa. |
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Adhan (The Call to Prayer) |
| The Adhan is an announcement of the prayer times and it is used to call Muslims to the prayers. The person who gives the Adhan is called the Mu’adhin (Caller). It is preferred that the Mu’adhin has a beautiful voice. While calling for prayer, he stands facing the Qiblah and raises his hands to his ears, and calls out:
“Allahu Akbar This means: (Allah is the Greatest) “الله أكبر Allahu Akbar This means: (Allah is the Greatest) الله أكبر Allahu Akbar This means: (Allah is the Greatest) الله أكبر Allahu Akbar This means: (Allah is the Greatest) الله أكبر
Ashhadu alla ilaha illallah أشهد أن لا إ له إلا الله This means: (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah) Ashhadu alla ilaha illallah أشهد أن لا إ له إلا الله This means: (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah)
Ashhadu anna muhammadar rasulullah أشهد أن محمدا رسول الله This means:(I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah’s messenger) Ashhadu anna muhammadar rasulullah أشهد أن محمدا رسول الله This means:(I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah’s messenger)
Hayya alas Salah This means: (Rush to prayer حي على الصلاة Hayya alas Salah This means: (Rush to prayer حي على الصلاة
Hayya alal Falah This means: (Rush to success) حي على الفلاح Hayya alal Falah This means: (Rush to success) حي على الفلاح
Allahu Akbar This means: (Allah is the Greatest) الله أكبر Allahu Akbar This means: (Allah is the Greatest) الله أكبر
La ilaha illallah” (There is no god but Allah) “لا إ له إلا الله
The first Adhan for Fajr Salah should be shortly before Fajr time to help awaken the people. The following is added after “Hayya alal Falah”:
“Assalatu khayrum minan naum” الصلاة خير من النوم” This means: (Salah is better than sleep) “Assalatu khayrum minan naum” “الصلاة خير من النوم This means: (Salah is better than sleep)
However, there is no need for this addition in the second Adhan, which should be made at the beginning of Fajr time.
It is strongly recommended that whenever possible, Muslim males should offer their Fard (compulsory) prayers in congregation at the Masjid (mosque). |
