Understanding the timings, durations, and How Long Does Prayer Last for Muslims is essential for adherents of Islam to maintain a strong connection to their faith and spiritual practices. The five daily prayers, known as Salat, are a cornerstone of Muslim worship, each observed at specific times throughout the day. Delving into the significance of these Prayer Times, How Long Does Prayer Last for Muslims, and the Duration of Each Prayer offers valuable insights into the rhythm and devotion of the Muslim daily routine.
Let’s explore the intricate details of Muslim prayers and How Long Does Prayer Last for Muslims, their timings, the longest prayer in Islam, How long it is on Friday, and How long Muslims pray during Ramadan.
How Long Does Prayer Last for Muslims?
Prayer is the second pillar of Islam and is considered an obligatory religious duty for all Muslims. There are five prescribed prayers performed throughout the day, each with a specific time frame in which they must occur.
These frames vary across the calendar year as we will discuss in the following paragraphs. And about the duration of each prayer can range from 10 to 15 minutes to allow for the performance of required actions like recitation and prostration.
Muslims should engage in ritual purification such as washing before the prayers and then focus intently on remembrance of God and supplication during the prescribed movements and words. Maintaining a consistent practice of prayer is considered a fundamental aspect of submitting to the will of Allah and participating in the Muslim community.
5 Prayers of Islam Times
Muslims follow five daily prayers, as commanded by Islamic doctrine. The first prayer, Fajr, takes place before daybreak. Dhuhr, the second prayer, takes place shortly after midday. Asr, the third prayer, is offered in the afternoon. Maghrib, the fourth prayer, is offered just after sunset. Finally, Isha, the fifth prayer, is offered at night. These prayer times not only represent the passage of the day, but also provide opportunities for spiritual contemplation, connecting to the divine, and seeking guidance and blessings throughout the day.
Here are the prayer times in detail:
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Fajr:
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stated, “The time for Subh (Fajr) prayer lasts from the beginning of the pre-dawn so long as the sun has not yet started to rise. When the sun starts to rise then stop praying, for it rises between the two horns of the Shaytan.”
قال رسول صلى الله عليه وسلم: «فإذا طلعت الشمس فأمسك عن الصلاة فإنها تطلع بين قرني شيطان». صحيح مسلم
Fajr prayer time begins at the “second dawn” (al-fajr al-thani) and concludes when the sun rises. The “second dawn” refers to the brightness that appears along the eastern horizon and continues north to south. The “first dawn” (al-fajr al-awwal) happens about an hour before this, and there are distinctions between the two.
The light in the “first dawn” stretches from east to west, whereas in the “second dawn,” it reaches north to south.
The “first dawn” is followed by darkness, which means that the brilliance lasts just briefly before becoming dark. The “second dawn” is not followed by darkness; instead, the light intensifies.
The “second dawn” is connected to the horizon, and there is no darkness between it and the horizon, whereas the “first dawn” is separated from the horizon by darkness.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The time for Zhuhr is from when the sun has passed its zenith until a man’s shadow is equal in length to his height (this is the end time), and the time for ‘Asr comes.”
قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: وقت الظهر إذا زالت الشمس وكان ظل الرجل كطوله، مالم يحضر العصر.
So the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) defined the start and the end of the time for Zhuhr:
The beginning of the time for Zhuhr is when the sun has passed its zenith i.e., has crossed the highest part of the sky and begins to descend towards the west.
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Asr:
We know that Asr times start with the end of the Zuhur time, which Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) refers to when the length of an object’s shadow equals its length.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The time for ‘Asr lasts until the sun turns yellow.”
عن عبد الله بن عمرو رضي الله عنهما : أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، قال: “ووقت العصر ما لم تَصْفَرَّ الشمس.”
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Maghrib
Maghrib begins immediately after the time for ‘Asr ends, which is when the sun sets, and continues until the twilight or red afterglow fades. When the crimson afterglow fades from the sky, Maghrib concludes, and ‘Isha’ begins. This time is defined by the clock and fluctuates depending on the season.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The time for Maghrib lasts until the twilight has faded.”
عن عبد الله بن عمرو رضي الله عنهما : أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، قال: “وقت صلاة المغرب ما لم يَغِبْ الشفق.”
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‘Isha
The time for ‘Isha’ commences immediately after the hour for Maghrib (when the red afterglow fades from the sky) and lasts till midnight.
As The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The time for ‘Isha’ lasts until midnight.”
عن عبد الله بن عمرو رضي الله عنهما : أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، قال: “ووقت صلاة العشاء إلى نصف الليل الأوسط”
What is the longest prayer in Islam?
In this part, the Islamic Scholars discussed many Hadiths and Situations that have been stated by Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him and Sahabas.
Most of it refers to the fact that the Imam should emulate the prayer of Prophet Muhammed (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and how he led his Companions in prayer.
As it is proven in as-Saheeh that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said to Maalik ibn al-Huwayrith and his companion: “When the time for prayer comes, give the adhan (call to prayer) and the iqamah (call immediately preceding the prayer), let one of you lead the other in prayer and pray as you have seen me praying.”
حيث حدث النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم مالك بن الحويرث وصاحبه وقال: (إذا حضرت الصلاة فأذّن وأقم، وليصل أحدكما الآخر، وليصل كما رأيتموني أصلي).
And it is proven in as-Saheeh that he used to recite in Fajr prayer something between sixty and one hundred verses, which is between approximately one-third and one-half of a juz’, of which there are thirty.
So, we can say that Al-Fajr could be the longest prayer if the Imam follows the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).
How long is the Muslim prayer on Friday?
In Arabic, Friday is known as ‘Jumu’ah. Jumu’ah prayers (also known as Friday prayers) are offered in the afternoon instead of Dhuhr prayers. This must be held in a congregation and is the most popular regular prayer because it is considered obligatory for most Muslims to attend the mosque at this hour. The ‘Khutbah’, or discourse, is delivered before the prayer. On average, the Khutbah lasts about 30 minutes, while the Jumu’ah prayer lasts about 10 minutes. This will differ by mosque. Following the prayers, it is customary for members of the congregation to meet and greet one another.
How long do Muslims pray during Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is characterised by self-reflection, spiritual dedication, abstinence, and charity among Muslims worldwide.
Fasting from dawn to sunset is one of Islam’s Pillars and one of the most important practices throughout this fortunate month. When the sun sets, the fast is broken with Iftar.
Muslims fast from eating, drinking, intimate contact, and smoking throughout the month of Ramadan. This includes the customary namaz offered five times a day, combined with special prayers specifically offered during this month, which is termed “Taraweeh “.
Tarawih refers to midnight prayers or Sunnah that involve reading large portions of the Qur’an in a community setting. The goal is to recite the Holy Quran by the conclusion of the thirty days. Though Taraweeh is optional, Muslims from all over the globe gather for it because it is believed that those who go to Taraweeh would be rewarded greatly.
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