Islam prescribes five obligatory prayers (salat) per day, spread across the 24 hours according to the sun's position. They mark the rhythm of a Muslim's day and are one of the five pillars of Islam.
The five prayers and their times
Each prayer has a name and falls at a specific time of day:
- Fajr (dawn) — between the start of true dawn and sunrise, 2 obligatory rak'ah.
- Dhuhr (midday) — after the sun passes its zenith, 4 rak'ah.
- Asr (afternoon) — in the afternoon, before the light begins to fade, 4 rak'ah.
- Maghrib (sunset) — just after sunset, 3 rak'ah.
- Isha (night) — after twilight disappears, 4 rak'ah.
These times depend on the exact geographic location and therefore vary from city to city, as well as from day to day across the year.
What is a rak'ah?
A rak'ah is the basic unit of prayer: a sequence of positions (standing, bowing, two prostrations) accompanied by recitations. The number of obligatory (fard) rak'ah varies by prayer — 17 obligatory rak'ah in total each day. Several prayers also include voluntary (sunnah) rak'ah, not obligatory but highly recommended, regularly performed by the Prophet ﷺ.
How do I find the times for my city?
Prayer times are calculated from the precise geographic location (latitude, longitude) and astronomical calculation methods that vary slightly by region of the world. An app like Islamobile calculates these times automatically for your exact location, with reminders for each prayer.
Frequently asked questions
How many obligatory prayers are there per day?
Five: Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha, totalling 17 obligatory rak'ah.
What is a rak'ah?
The basic unit of prayer: a sequence of standing, bowing and two prostrations, accompanied by recitations.
Are prayer times the same everywhere in the world?
No: they depend on the exact geographic location and also change daily throughout the year.
Can two prayers be combined?
Yes, in certain circumstances (travel, illness), Dhuhr and Asr, or Maghrib and Isha, can be combined.
