Every day, millions of Muslims pause their lives five times to stand before Allah — but when exactly does each prayer begin? Get it wrong by a few minutes and your Fajr falls outside its window; use the wrong calculation method and your Asr is an hour off from your local masjid.
This page gives you accurate prayer times today for your location — computed live with Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki, Hanbali, and Jafari options. Below the timetable: what each of the five daily prayers is, how prayer times are calculated, why Asr differs between madhhabs, and answers to the most-asked questions about salah timing.
The 5 Daily Prayers and Their Times
Salah is the second pillar of Islam — five obligatory prayers, each with a divinely fixed time window. Here is what each prayer is and when its window opens.
Fajr — The Dawn Prayer
Fajr begins at true dawn and ends at sunrise: 2 Sunnah + 2 Fard rakats. Its window is short — often just 60 to 90 minutes — making it the most commonly missed prayer. Guide to praying Fajr on time.
Dhuhr — The Midday Prayer
Dhuhr begins just after the sun passes its zenith and lasts until Asr: 4 Sunnah + 4 Fard + 2 Sunnah rakats. On Fridays, those attending Jumu’ah pray the congregational Friday prayer with its khutbah instead of Dhuhr.
Asr — The Afternoon Prayer
Asr is the late-afternoon prayer of 4 Fard rakats — and the one whose start time differs between madhhabs (explained below). The Quran calls it “the middle prayer” to be guarded (2:238).
Maghrib — The Sunset Prayer
Maghrib begins immediately at sunset: 3 Fard + 2 Sunnah rakats. Its window is the shortest of the day, so pray it promptly. During Ramadan, Iftar time is exactly Maghrib time.
Isha — The Night Prayer
Isha begins when twilight fully disappears and lasts until Fajr: 4 Sunnah + 4 Fard + 2 Sunnah + 2 Nafl, followed by Witr. How to pray Witr.
How Prayer Times Are Calculated
Prayer times come from the sun’s precise position via astronomical formulas: Fajr from dawn, Dhuhr from the sun’s zenith, Asr from shadow length, Maghrib from sunset, Isha from the disappearance of twilight.
Because “dawn” and “twilight” can be defined by different angles below the horizon, several calculation methods exist. The main ones: Muslim World League (Europe and much of the world), ISNA (USA and Canada), University of Islamic Sciences, Karachi (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh), Umm al-Qura (Saudi Arabia), plus official UAE and Qatar methods for the Gulf.
Use the settings in our timetable above to match your local masjid’s method. When in doubt, follow your local mosque — unity in congregation outweighs a few minutes of methodological difference.
Hanafi vs Shafi’i: Why Asr Times Differ
Noticed Asr listed nearly an hour apart on two timetables? Both are valid — they reflect different scholarly readings of the same hadith. Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali hold Asr begins when an object’s shadow equals its length; Hanafi holds it begins at twice the length, based on the narration of Jibreel leading the Prophet ﷺ in Asr at the later time (Sunan Abi Dawud).
In practice, Hanafi Asr falls roughly 45–60 minutes later. Select your school in the widget’s Asr settings above — and remember, praying any time before Maghrib is valid under either view.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is Fajr today?
It changes daily with the season and your location. Use the timetable at the top — pick your city or tap “Use my location” — for today’s exact Fajr time.
Why do prayer times differ between websites?
Three settings cause it: the calculation method, the Asr juristic method (Hanafi vs Standard), and the coordinates used. Same method + same city = agreement to the minute.
Can I pray before the listed time?
No — a prayer before its window begins is not valid and must be repeated. If unsure, wait a few minutes or check a second source. What to do about missed prayers.
What if I miss a prayer?
Make it up (qada) as soon as possible — the majority position. Pray it exactly as the original, with the intention of qada. Full guide to making up missed prayers.
Do prayer times change when traveling?
Yes — times follow the sun at your current location, so update them across time zones. Travelers may also shorten (qasr) the 4-rakat prayers. Traveler’s prayer guide.
When is it forbidden to pray nafl?
At three times: sunrise (~15 min after), exact zenith (a few minutes at midday), and sunset. Obligatory prayers are never forbidden — if Asr runs late, pray it even near sunset.
How do I learn to pray correctly?
Start with our step-by-step salah guide — wudu, positions, and recitations. Learn one prayer at a time, Fajr first. You need wudu before every prayer: how to do wudu.
Are these prayer times accurate?
Yes — computed live via the established Aladhan engine using methods from recognized authorities. Accurate to the minute for your method and location. For fasting or congregation, still confirm with your local masjid; a minute or two of local adjustment is common.
Make Every Prayer Count
Knowing the time is only the first step — praying with understanding transforms routine into connection. If you or your children are still learning, a qualified teacher makes all the difference.
IlmBeacon offers 3 free trial classes — no card required. Quran, Tajweed, and Salah with certified tutors, including female tutors for sisters and kids. Book your free trial or WhatsApp us.