When Does the Time of Isha Prayer Begin According to the Qur’an?
Isha prayer is one of the five daily obligatory prayers, and its timing is connected to the arrival of night. The Qur’an explains this time through natural signs in the sky rather than fixed clock-based schedules.
According to the Qur’an, the time of Isha prayer begins when the night becomes dark and the remaining light of sunset fades away. This occurs after Maghrib, once the brightness in the sky has disappeared and true darkness starts to spread.
Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an:
“Establish prayer at the decline of the sun until the darkness of the night.”
(Surah Al-Isra, 17:78)
This verse clearly indicates that prayer extends until the darkness of the night, which marks the beginning of the Isha prayer time. The phrase “darkness of the night” refers to the stage when night has fully set in.
In another verse, Allah says:
“And during the night, glorify Him, and after the setting of the stars.”
(Surah At-Tur, 52:49)
This verse highlights worship during the night, pointing to the time when darkness is complete and the stars become visible, which corresponds to the time of Isha.
The natural sign of Isha is the disappearance of twilight after sunset. When the glow in the western sky fades and darkness becomes dominant, the time for Isha prayer begins.
In conclusion, the Qur’an teaches that the time of Isha prayer starts with the full arrival of night. This timing is based on visible and natural signs created by Allah, making it applicable everywhere without dependence on fixed clock times.
Understanding these Qur’anic indications helps Muslims recognize the correct time for Isha prayer through the natural progression from sunset to night.
