The three times when the Prophet ﷺ forbade prayer

The Prophet Mohammed ﷺ forbade prayer at three precise times of the day: while the sun is rising, when the sun is at its zenith, and while it is setting.

The hadith

'Uqba ibn 'Âmir رضي الله عنه said: « There are three times at which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade us to pray or to bury our dead: when the sun rises, until it is high; when the sun is at its highest, until it passes the meridian; and when the sun is about to set, until it has set. » (Sahih Muslim 831)

The three times in practice

Why these times?

The Prophet ﷺ explained that the sun rises and sets « between the two horns of Satan », and that at those times the disbelievers prostrate to it (Sahih Muslim 832). A Muslim does not pray at those times, so as not to resemble those who worship the sun.

Two related periods

The Prophet ﷺ also said: « No prayer after the Fajr prayer until the sun has risen, and no prayer after the Asr prayer until the sun has set. » (Sahih al-Bukhari 586, Sahih Muslim 827)

These prohibitions mainly concern voluntary prayers, the ones we pray in addition. For a particular case, such as a missed prayer, ask a person of knowledge.

Remember

• Never pray while the sun is rising: wait until it is well up.
• Do not pray when the sun is at its highest, just before Dhuhr.
• Do not pray while the sun is setting.
• On L'Imam Virtuel, the home page shows every day the sunrise (Shuruq) and Dhuhr times for your city: these are your landmarks.

The religious texts in this article come from the Quran and authentic hadiths, with their references. For a personal question, ask a person of knowledge.