The Timings of Salaat
By: Muhammad Latif Chaudhery

Salat is a broad term which means, to follow closely the Divine Laws. The holy Quran points out that the light of Divine guidance prevails over the entire universe. Every object living or non-living functions in perfect harmony and obediently follows the way of life prescribed for it by the Creator. Look at the birds how they carry out their daily routine and travel thousands of miles without missing their route. So should mankind who is bestowed with the unique faculty of "Freedom of Choice" turn towards his 'Salat' or the way of life prescribed for him by Allah.

"Do you not see that every individual constituent of the universe steadfastly and obediently carries out the duty assigned to it by the Divine Programme, and the birds with wings outspread, each one knows its 'Salat' (the way of life prescribed for it) and its 'Tasbih' (the sphere of activity.) Every bit of action in the universe is in the knowledge of Allah. (Al-Quran 24:41)

However, as far as the human beings are concerned, the prayer in congregation is as essential part of their 'Salat' because subservience to divine laws is intimately concerned with the daily routine of man's life. Human activity is widely varied in performance and human beings are spread all over the world in a greatly varied environment. That is why the holy Quran has mentioned only the time limits of the daily congregational prayers but has not mentioned them in specific terms. Let us quote a few examples:

The Holy Quran says:

"Establish prayers at the sun's decline, till the darkness of the night. And the morning prayer and reading; for the prayer and reading in the morning carry their testimony. And pray in the small watches of the morning; there is much profit to thee and the hope that thy Rabb will send thee to the place of paradise and glory." (Al-Quran 17:78-79)

The commentators understand here the command for five daily prayers i.e. the four from the decline of the sun from its zenith to fullest darkness of the night and the early morning prayers, Fajar which is essentially accompanied by the reading of the Quran. The four prayers after the decline of the sun are described Zuhar immediately after the sun begins to decline; Asar in the late afternoon; Maaghrab immediately after sunset; and Isha after the glow of the sun has disappeared and the fall of darkness has set in.

There is difference of opinion as regards the meaning of particular words and phrases but none as to the general effects of the passage. The prayer in the small watches of the night is held to be addressed specially to the holly Rasool (Peace be upon him) who usually prayed more than the five regular prayers.

The keyword in this passage is Daluk root Dal Lam Kaf Most of the interpreters have interpreted this word as decline of the sun from its zenith. However, as described in 'Ruhul Moani', the root Dal Lam Kaf indicates movement from one situation to another. In this sense some interpreters say that the movement of the sun from its rise till noon and its decline and setting are all covered by the word Daluke but the majority of the interpreters take it as 'decline'.

Another version of the purport of these verses as pointed out by Allama Ghulam Ahmed Parwez. Taking Salat as a way of life prescribed by the Creator, for mankind it may be said that the subservience to Allah Almighty is intimately interconnected and interwoven with the daily activities of man. Thus the verses 17:78-79 may be interpreted as follows:

"Your programme should be such that you ponder over the Quranic truths in the early morning before sunrise, and find out what guidance the Quran provide as regards the problems before you. Early morning, because in the clear atmosphere before sunrise, there is such a deep concentration of mind that the quranic truths become manifest before you in a vivid form and your mind affirms that there is nothing but the truth. After that you should follow that programme constantly from morning till evening. For this purpose you should meet in congregation and decide your affairs by mutual consultation (42:38) Depending on the urgency you should also keep awake during night time and think over matters in further details. This concerns mostly with this matter are much more. Although other people may join him as required".

Again the holy Quran says:

"And establish regualr prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approach
of the night." (Al-Quran 11:114)

Most of the interpreters, interpret the two ends of the day as morning and evening i.e. before sunrise and after sunset, but two ends of the day can easily be interpreted as noon and sunset. Noon is the end of the rising sun to its zenith and sunset is the end of declining sun At approaches of the night is Isha prayer.
At yet another place the Quran says:

"Therefore be patient with what they say and celebrate the prayers of thy
Rabb, before the rising of the sun and before its setting; yea celebrate them
for part of the hours of night and ends of the day that thou mayest have
joy".(20:130)

The word in the passage is Sabha and not 'salat' but it is generally accepted to mean 'salat'. The holy Quran says:

"But when you are in danger, set up regular prayers for such prayers are
enjoined on believers at times within limits." Al-Quran 4:103)

The word 'waqat' means time within limits. Unlimited time is not 'waqat'.

The word 'Tasbeeh' and 'Zakir' when described within time limits mean 'salat' or prayer in congregation. Thus, in the above passage:

1. Prayer before sunrise indicates -- Fajar.

2. Prayer before sunset indicates -- Assar.

3. Part of the hours of night would indicate -- Maghrab early night after sunset and Isha late in the night when complete darkness sets in.

4. Ends of the day may be taken as early morning before the day begins: afternoon when the sum begins to decline after reaching its climax; and the sunset which is the end of its decline. When the sun disappears behind the horizon.

The holy Quran says:-

"O ye who believe! If your servants and those who have not come to ask your permission (before they come to your presence puberty) on three occasions of your un-dress i.e. before morning prayer, then while you doft your clothes for the noon day heat; and after the night prayer"(Al-Quran) 24:58)

In the above said passage are described the rules of decorum, within the family circle in a refined society. Here the word Salatal Fajar and Salatal Isha are clearly described.

Again it is said:

"Guard strictly your prayers, especially the middle prayer and stand before
Allah in a devout frame of mind. If you fear (an enemy) pray on foot and
riding (as may be most convenient) But when you are in security celebrate
God's praises in the manner He has taught you, which you knew not
before."(Al-Quran 2:238-239)

The above said passage deals with the prayer in danger. This is further described more in details in (4:103). Here the word Salatul Woosta has been translated by some as the best; the most excellent prayer. Authorities differ as to the best meaning of this phrase but the Quran has described it in general terms because the confrontation with the enemy during warfare is mostly during the day or the middle of the day. The verse is mostly, interpreted as 'Asar' prayer. But it may very well be 'Zuhar prayer', because of the time of confrontation with the enemy being indefinite.

There are a number of other passages in the Quran where the word 'salat' is not used but the words 'Tasbeeh' and 'Zakir' are mentioned; yet they indicate 'salat'.

"O you bearer of huge responsibilities! stand (to pray) by night but not all
night. Half of it or little less or a little more and recite the Quran in slow
measured rhythmic tones"(Al-Quran 73: 1-3)

This verse appears to be related to the early period where the descent of
Wahi to Muhammad (Peace be upon him) started.

"And glorify Him Morning and Evening".(Al-Quran 33:42)

"And celebrate His praise morning and Evening".(Al-Quran 48:9)

"And do thou bring thy Rabb to remembrance, within yourself, with humanity
and in reverence without loudness in words, in the morning and in the
evening and be not of those who are unheadful".(Al-Quran 7:205)

"Send not away those who call on their Rabb morning and
evening".(Al-Quran 6:52)

"In houses which Allah has permitted to be raised to honour, for celebration
in them of His name; in them He is glorified in the morning and in the
evening".(Al-Quran 24:36)

"And keep thy self content with those who call on their Rabb in the morning
and in the evening".(Al-Quran 18:28)

"And celebrate the praises of thy Rabb, while you stand forth. And for part of
the night. Also praise thou Him and at the retreat of the stars".(Al-Quran
52:48-49)

"And celebrate the name of they Rabb morning and evening. And part of the
night, prostrate thyself to Him and glorify Him a long night through".(Al-Quran
76:25-26)

"So glorify Allah when you reach eventide and when you rise in the morning.
To Him be praise in the heavens and on the earth and in the late afternoon
and when the day begin to decline."(Al-Quran 30:17-18)

1. I would like to know the time at which the night starts and if the night starts
at the time of the sunset where we can find the two ends of the day?

Prevalent timings of salat can be deduced as follows:

FAJAR: 20:130, 52:48-49, 76:25-26, 11:114, 5039-40, 30:17-18 & 24:58.

ZUHAR: 17:78 & 30:17-18.

ASAR: 2:238, 76:25, 20:130, 30:17, 50:39-40.

MAGHRAB: 11:114, 20:130, 30:17 & 50:39-40.

ISHA: (As Salatal lail) 52:48, 76:25.

(As Isha) 20:130, 11:114, 30:17-18.

ALL THE FIVE CONGREGATIONAL PRAYERS: 2:238, 17:78, 20:130