If you’re asking, “What time does Dhuhr end?” you’re asking a vital question. For new Muslims and even many born into the faith, understanding the specific prayer times is a crucial step in establishing a consistent connection with Allah.
This guide will provide a clear and detailed answer to when Dhuhr prayer ends, explain the last time for Dhuhr prayer, and cover special circumstances where timings can be flexible.
When Does Dhuhr Prayer End? The Definitive Answer
The time for Dhuhr prayer ends when the time for Asr prayer begins. This is the universally accepted rule.
So, the question “What time does Zuhr end?” is directly answered by knowing when Asr starts. Traditionally, the start of Asr is determined by the length of an object’s shadow.
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The Majority View (Shafi’i, Maliki, Hanbali):
The Dhuhr prayer end time is when the shadow of any vertical object becomes equal to the length of the object itself, plus the length of its shadow at noon (when the sun is at its zenith). This moment marks the beginning of Asr prayer.
The Hanafi View:
The last time of Dhuhr prayer extends a bit longer. In this school of thought, Dhuhr time ends when the shadow of an object becomes twice the length of the object itself, plus its shadow length at noon.
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Preferred Time vs. Permissible Time
While you can pray Dhuhr any time before Asr begins, it is highly recommended and more virtuous to pray it at the beginning of its time (Awwal al-Waqt).
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the merit of performing prayers as soon as their time sets in.
- Permissible Time: The entire window from the start of Dhuhr until the start of Asr. If you are busy, it is perfectly acceptable to pray anytime within this window.
- Preferred Time: As early as possible after the Dhuhr time begins. Praying in congregation at the mosque is also highly rewarded.
So, while the zuhr waqt last time is right before Asr starts, aiming for the beginning of the time is best.
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Can I Combine Dhuhr and Asr Prayers?
Yes, in certain situations, Islam provides a concession (rukhsah) allowing a Muslim to combine Dhuhr and Asr prayers (and similarly, Maghrib and Isha). This is known as Jam’ al-Salat.
This is not meant to be a regular habit but is a mercy from Allah for times of genuine difficulty.
Scholars have agreed upon several conditions where combining is permitted.
These include:
- Travel: When you are traveling a significant distance (typically over 80-85 km), you are permitted to combine Dhuhr and Asr, and Maghrib and Isha.
- Significant Hardship or Illness: This applies to situations where praying each prayer separately would cause immense difficulty. Examples include:
- A doctor performing a long surgery.
- A student in the middle of a critical, lengthy exam.
- A person with a severe illness that makes it very hard to maintain purity (wudu) for each prayer.
- Severe Weather: Extreme rain, snow, or mud that makes it dangerous or very difficult to go to the mosque for each prayer. In this case, the congregation may combine the prayers.
When combining, you can either pray both Dhuhr and Asr during Dhuhr’s time (Jam’ al-Taqdim) or pray both during Asr’s time (Jam’ al-Ta’khir).
Need More Guidance?
Understanding the nuances of Salah is a beautiful journey. If you have more questions about prayer times, how to pray, or any other topic in Islam, consider booking a free session with a knowledgeable tutor to help guide you personally.