Facts About The Timing of Salat

By Alhaji by W.A.O Akewusola Esq

The angular rate is faster, nearer periapsis and slower near apoapsis. The same is so for the Moon’s orbit around the Earth. This is what informs the variance in the timing of Salāt daily at a spot.

Currently, there are many Islamic groups of Scientists who already devised the scientific means of informing the observers of Salat, the time to perform each of the five daily prayers. These groups have scientifically programmed the timings for Salāt by making use of the Qur’ānic description of the times as ordained by Allāh and the Sunnah of the Prophet. Salāt timings are now programmed and stored in many electronically propelled devices which give Muslims accurate timing wherever they may be at a particular time for the observance of the five daily prayers.

Arriving at the accuracy of Salāts timing, Muslim Scientists must have closely observed the movement of two important natural phenomenons, the Sun and the Moon. Since the Earth’s orbit around the Sun is elliptical and not circular, the angular rate of Earth’s progression around the Sun varies during the year. The angular rate is faster, nearer periapsis and slower near apoapsis. The same is so for the Moon’s orbit around the Earth. This is what informs the variance in the timing of Salāt daily at a spot.

The periods for the observation of Salāt are the descriptions of the movement of the Earth about the Sun. The scientists observed the periodic movement of the sun around the Earth which led to the invention of the watch. This device is universally used to regulate the activities of man including religious ones. ‘When the prayers are over, remember Allah –whether you are standing, sitting or lying down. But when you are secure establish regular prayers. Indeed, performing prayers is a duty of the believers at the appointed times’, Q2:31.

This verse emphasizes that prayer is a sacred duty for believers, which should be performed at specific times. It also states that believers should remember Allah in all positions and at all times. Except for females, which may be due to menstrual periods and childbirth blood flows? There is no excuse for missing the daily prayers by Muslims because its observance is guided naturally, by the movement of the sun. We cannot give any excuse that the sun is not sighted for a particular period; hence, we cannot observe the five daily Salāt. Even when there is darkness for many days the use of a watch will guide us.

A peep into the era of the prophet will confirm that the modern-day timing for salat is in line with the prophet’s timings. Narrated Jabir bin Abdullah, The Prophet used to pray the Zuhr at midday and the ‘Asr at a time when the sun was still bright, the Maghrib after sunset (at its stated time) and the Isha’ at a variable time. Whenever he saw the people assembled (for Isha prayer) he would pray earlier and if the people delayed, he would delay the prayer. And they or the Prophet used to offer the Fajr prayers when it was still dark. Bukhari 1.535.

In another narration of Rafi bin Khadij, We used to offer the Maghrib prayer with the Prophet and after finishing the prayer one of us may go away and could still see as far as the spots where one’s arrow might reach when shot by a bow. Bukhari 1.534. Narrated Aisha: The believing women covered with their veiling sheets used to attend the Fajr prayer with Allāh’s Prophet, and after finishing the prayer they would return to their home and nobody could recognize them because of darkness. Bukhari 1.552.

These are the prescribed times for prayers as ordained by Allāh and as practised by His Prophet (SAW). They are summarized as follows: FAJR: Early Morning Prayer. Qur’ān says that “…and the Morning Prayer”. “…at the two ends of the day…”. “…before the rising of the sun…” Zuhr: Early Afternoon Prayer. “… at the sun’s decline…”.  ‘Asr: Late Afternoon Prayer. “…before its setting (i.e. the sun)…”.  Maghrib: Sunset Prayer. Qur’ān says that “…at the sun’s decline…” “…at the two ends of the day and the approaches of the night …” Ishai: Night Prayer. “…part of the hours of the night…”. “…till the darkness of the night.”

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