The importance of Salat, or prayer, in Islam is clearly emphasized throughout the Quran, with specific references to the times at which these prayers should be performed. Salat serves as a direct connection between Muslims and Allah, and understanding the correct timings is essential for maintaining this spiritual bond. 

Various Quranic verses mention the five daily prayers and their respective times, guiding believers on when to perform their acts of worship. These verses serve not only as a reminder of the significance of Salat but also as an intricate framework for organizing daily life around moments of reflection and devotion.

Many ask, “Are the specific prayer times mentioned in the Quran?” The answer is yes, Allah Almighty, in His infinite wisdom, has indeed alluded to these blessed times, sometimes explicitly and sometimes through beautiful, subtle references. 

While the detailed practical guidance comes from the Sunnah (the Prophet Muhammad’s, peace be upon him, teachings and actions), the Quran lays the foundation, embedding the rhythm of prayer into the very fabric of our day.

1. A Comprehensive Quranic Quote Covering All Five Daily Salat Times

One of the most comprehensive verses pointing towards all five daily prayers is found in Surah Ar-Rum:

“فَسُبْحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ حِينَ تُمْسُونَ وَحِينَ تُصْبِحُونَ وَلَهُ ٱلْحَمْدُ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَعَشِيًّا وَحِينَ تُظْهِرُونَ”

“Fasubḥānallāhi ḥīna tumsūna wa ḥīna tuṣbiḥūn(a). Wa lahul-ḥamdu fis-samāwāti wal-arḍi wa `ashiyyaw wa ḥīna tuẓhirūn(a).”

“So exalted is Allah when you reach the evening and when you reach the morning. And to Him is [due all] praise throughout the heavens and the earth. And [exalted is He] at night and when you are at noon.” (Surah Ar-Rum 30:17-18)  

Imam ibn al-Jawzi explained that these verses beautifully encapsulate the timings of the five prayers.

• “حين تمسون” (ḥīna tumsūn – when you reach the evening): Refers to Maghrib and Isha.
• “وحين تصبحون” (wa ḥīna tuṣbiḥūn – and when you reach the morning): Refers to Fajr.
• “وعشيًّا” (wa `ashiyyan – and at night/afternoon): Refers to Asr.
• “وحين تظهرون” (wa ḥīna tuẓhirūn – and when you are at noon): Refers to Dhuhr.

The word “تظهرون” (tuẓhirūn) comes from the same root as Dhuhr (ظهر), meaning midday or when things become apparent. The term ashiyyan points to the late afternoon/early evening. 

Grasping these connections truly deepens our appreciation for the Quran’s guidance and encourages consistency in our worship. 

For those aiming to truly internalize these verses and more, exploring options like Quranica’s Hifz (Memorization) programs can be incredibly beneficial, helping embed these verses and their timings into your heart.

2. Prayer Times at the ‘Ends of the Day’ and ‘Hours of the Night’

Another significant verse guiding us on prayer times is in Surah Hud:

“وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ طَرَفَىِ ٱلنَّهَارِ وَزُلَفًۭا مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلْحَسَنَٰتِ يُذْهِبْنَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ذِكْرَىٰ لِلذَّٰكِرِينَ”

“Wa aqimiṣ-ṣalāta ṭarafayin-nahāri wa zulafam minal-layl(i), innal-ḥasanāti yudhhibnas-sayyi’āt(i), dhālika dhikrā lidh-dhākirīn(a).”

“And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.” (Surah Hud 11:114)  

Here, Allah commands us to establish prayer “طرفي النهار” (ṭarafayin-nahār – at the two ends of the day). 

The first end is generally understood by the majority as Fajr. 

The second end has been interpreted as Zuhr, Asr or Maghrib. 

“وزلفًا من الليل” (wa zulafam minal-layl – and at the approach/hours of the night). The word zulafan (plural of zulfah) implies hours or portions of the night that are near to the day. This is commonly interpreted as referring to Maghrib and Isha prayers. 

3. A Quranic Verse Establishing Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr Prayer Times

Surah Al-Isra provides another important marker:

“أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِدُلُوكِ ٱلشَّمْسِ إِلَىٰ غَسَقِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَقُرْءَانَ ٱلْفَجْرِ ۖ إِنَّ قُرْءَانَ ٱلْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًۭا”

“Aqimiṣ-ṣalāta lidulūkish-shamsi ilā ghasaqil-layli wa qur’ānal-fajr(i), inna qur’ānal-fajri kāna mashhūdā(n).”

“Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur’an of dawn [i.e., the Fajr prayer]. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed.” (Surah Al-Isra 17:78)  

“لدلوك الشمس” (lidulūkish-shams – at the decline of the sun) is understood by many scholars, including Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), as the time when the sun passes its zenith, marking the beginning of Dhuhr prayer. Duluk ash-shams also encompassing the Zuhr and Asr prayers. 

“إلى غسق الليل” (ilā ghasaqil-layl – until the darkness of the night) signifies the darkness of the night, covering the Maghrib and Isha prayers. Ghasaq refers to the intensification of darkness. 

Then, Allah specifically highlights “وقرءان الفجر” (wa qur’ānal-fajr – and the Quran of dawn), referring to the Fajr prayer. 

Calling Fajr the “Quran of dawn” is a beautiful linguistic touch, emphasizing the importance of recitation in this prayer. This prayer is witnessed by the angels of the night and the angels of the day. 

Reciting the Quran beautifully, especially during Fajr, enhances this connection immensely. It’s why mastering Tajweed, which we focus on deeply in Quranica’s Learn Quran with Tajweed course, is so rewarding, allowing the words of Allah to flow correctly and touch the heart.

4. A Quranic Quote Mentions Fajr and Isha in the Quran

One of the clearest references comes in Surah An-Nur, in the context of etiquette and seeking permission within the household. Notice how Allah connects these specific prayer times with moments of rest and privacy:

“يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لِيَسْتَـْٔذِنكُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُكُمْ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَبْلُغُوا۟ ٱلْحُلُمَ مِنكُمْ ثَلَٰثَ مَرَّٰتٍ ۚ مِّن قَبْلِ صَلَوٰةِ ٱلْفَجْرِ وَحِينَ تَضَعُونَ ثِيَابَكُم مِّنَ ٱلظَّهِيرَةِ وَمِنۢ بَعْدِ صَلَوٰةِ ٱلْعِشَآءِ ۚ ثَلَٰثُ عَوْرَٰتٍ لَّكُمْ ۚ لَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَا عَلَيْهِمْ جُنَاحٌۢ بَعْدَهُنَّ ۚ طَوَّٰفُونَ عَلَيْكُم بَعْضُكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلْءَايَٰتِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ”

“Yā ayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū liyasta’dhinkumul-ladhīna malakat aymānukum wal-ladhīna lam yablughul-ḥuluma minkum thalātha marrāt(in), min qabli ṣalātil-fajri wa ḥīna taḍaūna thiyābakum minaẓ-ẓahīrati wa mim badi ṣalātil-ishā'(i), thalāthuawrātillakum, laysa alaykum wa lāalayhim junāḥum badahunn(a), ṭawwāfūnaalaykum baḍukumalā baḍ(in), kadhālikā yubayyinullāhu lakumul-āyāt(i), wallāhualīmun ḥakīm(un).”

“O you who have believed, let those whom your right hands possess and those who have not yet reached puberty among you ask permission of you [before entering] at three times: before the dawn prayer [Fajr] and when you put aside your clothing [for rest] at noon and after the night prayer [`Isha’]. [These are] three times of privacy for you. There is no blame upon you nor upon them beyond these [periods], for they continually circulate among you – some of you, among others. Thus does Allah make clear to you the verses; and Allah is Knowing and Wise.” (Surah An-Nur 24:58)  

Here, Allah explicitly mentions “صَلَوٰةِ ٱلْفَجْرِ” (Salat al-Fajr) and “صَلَوٰةِ ٱلْعِشَآءِ” (Salat al-‘Isha’). It’s beautiful how these prayers frame the beginning and the end of the day’s main activities. 

Read more about: Quranic Verses & Hadith Quotes on Fasting (Arabic & English)

5. Another Quranic Quote on Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, and Night Prayer Times

In Surah Qaf, Allah encourages the Prophet (peace be upon him) and, by extension, all believers, to find solace and strength in praising Him at specific times, especially when facing difficulty or opposition:

“فَٱصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ ٱلشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ ٱلْغُرُوبِ‏ وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْهُ وَأَدْبَٰرَ ٱلسُّجُودِ”

“Faṣbir alā mā yaqūlūna wa sabbiḥ biḥamdi rabbika qabla ṭulūish-shamsi wa qablal-ghurūb(i). (39) Wa minal-layli fasabbiḥhu wa adbāras-sujūd(i).” 

“So be patient, [O Muhammad], over what they say and exalt [Allah] with praise of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before the setting [i.e., sunset]. (39) And [in part] of the night exalt Him and after prostration.” (Surah Qaf 50:39-40)  

Scholars understand “قبل طلوع الشمس” (qabla ṭulū`ish-shams) as referring to Salat al-Fajr. “وقبل الغروب” (wa qablal-ghurūb) is most commonly understood to refer to Salat al-Asr, though some early scholars also included Salat al-Dhuhr. 

The phrase “ومن الليل فسبّحه” (wa min al-layli fasabbiḥhu – And [in part] of the night exalt Him) points towards the night prayers, generally understood as Maghrib and Isha. 

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Conclusion:

The clear references to Salat times in the Quran provide believers with an invaluable guide for structuring their day around worship. The detailed descriptions of prayer times from dawn to dusk are a reminder of the importance of discipline in one’s daily routine and the ever-present opportunity to connect with Allah. 

These verses underscore the spiritual and practical aspects of prayer in a Muslim’s life, inviting them to draw closer to their Creator with each passing moment of the day.

For those wishing to deepen their knowledge and understanding of Quranic verses related to prayer, courses in Quranic studies and memorization can offer a comprehensive and structured approach.

Institutions such as Quranica provide personalized learning experiences with expert teachers, allowing individuals to refine their recitation, deepen their connection to the Quran, and build a lifelong practice of Salat. 

Exploring these opportunities ensures that every believer not only understands the significance of prayer times but also internalizes them to enhance their worship and spiritual growth.