Chapter: The Times in Which Prayer Is Forbidden

We have already outlined a number of rulings concerning voluntary (nafl) prayers. It is now fitting to point out that the Law forbids praying at certain times, except for the prayers specifically exempted. These times are five:

1. From the appearance of the second dawn until sunrise, in view of the ḥadīth: “When dawn breaks, there is no prayer except the two rak‘ahs of Fajr,” narrated by Aḥmad, Abū Dāwūd and others. Thus, once dawn has come in, no supererogatory prayer may be offered save the regular sunnah before Fajr.

2. From sunrise until the sun has risen to the height of a spear, as estimated by the eye.

3. While the sun is at its zenith until it begins to decline. One recognizes the sun’s zenith when a shadow stands motionless, increasing neither in length nor in shortness, until it inclines westward. This is based on the report of ʿUqbah ibn ʿĀmir: “There are three hours during which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade us…"