Times of Prohibition

The prohibited times for prayer are: (1) from the appearance of dawn until the sun has risen the height of (2) a spear; while it is standing at its zenith until it begins to decline; and from the ʿAṣr prayer until the sun has completely set.

During these periods it is permissible to make up missed obligatory prayers, to perform the two rakʿahs after circumambulating the Kaʿbah, to repeat a congregational prayer (3) that has been established while one is already in the mosque, and to pray the two rakʿahs of Fajr before its obligatory portion.

Any other voluntary prayer, even one that has a particular reason, is forbidden at these times.

Chapter: Congregational Prayer

Congregational prayer is binding upon men for the five prescribed prayers when they have the ability, though it is not a condition (4) for the validity of the prayer itself. A man may also perform it in his home (5). The best place to pray in congregation is the Ancient Mosque, then the mosque with the larger congregation; attending a farther mosque is preferable to a nearer one.

It is unlawful to lead the prayer in a mosque before its appointed imam unless he grants permission or has a valid excuse.

If someone has already prayed and the iqāmah is then given, it is recommended that he repeat the prayer—except for Maghrib—and it is not disliked to repeat a congregation in