Namaz TimesHow to read a prayer timetable
What each time on a prayer timetable means, when each prayer period begins and ends in the main views, why sunrise is listed, and what the disliked times are.
A prayer timetable lists the start of each prayer period. A prayer may be made at any time from its start until the period ends. The start times are what calculators work out; the end times are mostly the start of the next prayer, with a few exceptions.
| Prayer | Begins | Ends (general view) |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr | True dawn | Sunrise |
| Dhuhr | Just after solar noon | When Asr begins |
| Asr | Shadow reaches the set length (see methods) | Sunset (with a disliked period just before) |
| Maghrib | Sunset | When twilight ends (the start of Isha for most) |
| Isha | Twilight gone | Midnight or dawn, depending on the view |
Why sunrise is on the list
Sunrise is not a prayer, but it marks the end of the Fajr time, and it is also the start of a short period (about 15 to 20 minutes) in which many scholars say no voluntary prayer is made. The same holds at the exact moment of solar noon and for a short time before sunset. These are times to avoid for voluntary prayer, and the details vary. Ask your teacher.
Iqamah is not the time listed
Mosques usually have two times: the adhan (call to prayer), which marks the start, and the iqamah, when the congregation stands up, some minutes later. Timetables from a mosque list the iqamah. Our calculator lists the start only.
Fasting in Ramadan
The Fajr time is when the fast begins and Maghrib is when it ends; a separate Ramadan timetable usually adds a few minutes of caution at Fajr. If you fast, follow your community's timetable.
This page explains general practice in plain words. It is not a religious ruling. Schools of thought and local communities differ in details; for your own practice, ask a trusted teacher or your local mosque.
Questions people ask
What is iqamah?
The second call, just before the congregation begins to pray.
Is Dhuhr at exactly noon?
It begins just after the sun passes its highest point, which is solar noon, not 12:00 on the clock.