When Does the Time of Zuhr Prayer Begin According to the Qur’an?
Zuhr prayer is one of the five daily obligatory prayers in Islam, and its timing is connected to the movement of the sun. The Qur’an explains the beginning of Zuhr prayer through a clear natural sign rather than fixed clock-based schedules used in different regions.
According to the Qur’an, the time of Zuhr prayer begins when the sun passes its highest point in the sky and starts to decline toward the west. This moment is known as the sun’s decline after midday. Before this point, the sun is still rising toward its peak, and the time of Zuhr has not yet started.
Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an:
“Establish prayer at the decline of the sun until the darkness of the night, and the Qur’an of dawn. Indeed, the Qur’an of dawn is ever witnessed.”
(Surah Al-Isra, 17:78)
This verse clearly indicates that prayer begins at the decline of the sun. Islamic scholars explain that the phrase “the decline of the sun” refers to the moment when the sun moves away from its highest position at midday. This is the exact point when the time for Zuhr prayer begins.
Before the sun’s decline, shadows are at their shortest length. Once the sun starts to move westward, shadows begin to extend again, signaling the start of Zuhr time. This natural change serves as a universal sign that can be observed anywhere in the world.
In conclusion, the Qur’an teaches that the time of Zuhr prayer begins with the sun’s decline after midday. This timing is based on a natural and visible phenomenon, making it applicable to all places without relying on fixed clock times.
Understanding this Qur’anic guideline helps Muslims recognize the true beginning of Zuhr prayer through the signs Allah has placed in the movement of the sun.
