—is anything elevated. This shadow continues to decrease as the sun rises higher in the sky, until it ceases to diminish. Once it has ceased diminishing, if it then increases—even by a hair’s breadth—this is the zenith, and with it the time for Zuhr begins.

His statement, “after the noon shadow,” means that the shadow present at the zenith is not counted. At our present location, when the sun inclines southward, there must be a permanent shadow on the northern side of every upright object. This shadow is not taken into consideration. Once it begins to increase, mark the point at which its increase begins. Then, when the shadow has extended from that mark by an amount equal to the height of the object, the time for Zuhr has ended and the time for Asr has begun. It makes no difference whether the object is short or tall, although the increase and decrease of the shadow are more readily discerned when it is tall.

As for determining the zenith by the clock, divide the period from sunrise to sunset into two halves; that is the zenith. Thus, if we assume that the sun rises at six o’clock and sets at six o’clock, the zenith is at twelve o’clock.

Performing it early is preferable, except in extreme heat …

His statement, “Performing it early is preferable,” means that performing the Zuhr prayer early is preferable for the following reasons:

First: Allah the Exalted says:

“So race to [all that is] good.” [al-Baqarah: 148]

That is, hasten. There is no doubt that prayer is among good deeds, so racing to it means being prompt in performing it.

Second: the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, encouraged that the prayer be begun as soon as