my recitation of this verse, then it is a prostration of Quranic recitation. This is the stronger view in this issue.

The Prohibited Times Are Five: From the Rising of the Second Dawn Until Sunrise …

His statement, “The prohibited times are five”: “Prohibited times” are the times in which the Lawgiver has prohibited prayer—meaning voluntary prayer. They are five, because the basic principle is that voluntary prayer is legislated at all times, due to the general import of Allah’s saying:

“O you who believe, bow down, prostrate yourselves, worship your Lord, and do good so that you may prosper.” [al-Hajj 22:77]

It is also established by the general import of the Prophet’s statement to the man whose need he had fulfilled. The Prophet said to him, “Ask.” He said, “I ask for your companionship in Paradise.” The Prophet said, “Or anything else?” He replied, “That is it”—meaning, “I ask you for nothing else.” He said, “Then help me concerning yourself by performing many prostrations.” (1)

Accordingly, the basic principle concerning voluntary prayer is that it is legislated at every time, for both the resident and the traveller. However, there are times in which the Lawgiver has prohibited prayer. These times are five when detailed, and three when stated concisely.

His statement, “From the rising of the second dawn”: this is the first time. The second dawn is the dawn that spreads horizontally across the horizon. The first dawn is a precursor to the second dawn, but it does not spread horizontally across the horizon; rather, it extends vertically. The second dawn is spread out—that is, like a bird extending its wings—so that the light stretches across the horizon from north to south. The first dawn extends lengthwise from east to west.