Verses Indicating the Time of Fajr Prayer
Among the most notable verses that refer to the Fajr prayer are as follows:
- (إِنَّ قُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًا); According to Qatadah, this refers to the Fajr prayer.
- (مِنْ قَبْلِ صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ); The meaning of this verse is explicit in indicating the time of Fajr prayer.
- (وَحِينَ تُصْبِحُونَ); Ibn Abbas is reported to have used this verse to deduce the time for Fajr prayer.
- (وَسَبِّحْ بحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ); This verse is also referenced by the Prophet Muhammad in a narration by Jarir bin Abdullah concerning the time of Fajr prayer.
- (وَأَقِمِ الصَّلاَةَ طَرَفَيِ النَّهَارِ); Malik and Ibn Habib stated that “the morning” denotes Fajr, while “the afternoon” pertains to Dhuhr and Asr prayers.
Verses Indicating the Time of Dhuhr Prayer
Key verses that refer to the Dhuhr prayer include:
- (وَحِينَ تُظْهِرُونَ); Ibn Abbas is noted for using this verse to indicate the timing of Dhuhr prayer.
- (وَأَقِمِ الصَّلاَةَ طَرَفَيِ النَّهَارِ); Malik and Ibn Habib suggested that this verse points to Dhuhr prayer time.
- (أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِدُلُوكِ الشَّمْسِ); Malik narrated from Nafi that Abdullah bin Umar explained “Dhuluk al-shams” as its inclination.
Verses Indicating the Time of Asr Prayer
Important verses related to the Asr prayer are:
- (وَعَشِيًّا); This verse is cited by Ibn Abbas as indicative of Asr prayer timing.
- (طَرَفَيْ النَّهَارِ); Malik and Ibn Habib indicated that this timing also applies to Asr prayer.
- (أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِدُلُوكِ الشَّمْسِ); Abu Ubaid stated that “Dhuluk al-shams” spans from noon to sunset, with noon marking the time for Dhuhr.
Verses Indicating the Time of Maghrib Prayer
Significant verses pertaining to Maghrib prayer include:
- (حِينَ تُمْسُونَ); Ibn Abbas used this verse as a reference for the time of Maghrib prayer.
- (إلَى غَسَقِ اللَّيْلِ); Al-Fara’a noted that this marks the initial darkness, thus indicating the time for Maghrib and Isha prayers.
- (وَزُلَفًا مِنْ اللَّيْلِ); Hasan al-Basri described this as pertaining to the timing of both Maghrib and Isha prayers.
Verses Indicating the Time of Isha Prayer
The following verses are significant for understanding the time of Isha prayer:
- (حِينَ تُمْسُونَ); This verse is indicated by the Prophet Muhammad to denote Isha prayer timing in a narration by Jarir bin Abdullah.
- (وَمِنْ بَعْدِ صَلَاةِ الْعِشَاءِ); The implication of this verse is clear concerning Isha prayer.
- (إلَى غَسَقِ اللَّيْلِ); Al-Fara’a mentioned that this marks the beginning of the Isha prayer window.
- (وَزُلَفًا مِنْ اللَّيْلِ); Hasan al-Basri noted that the time for Isha prayer follows that of Maghrib.
Reported Narrations Relating to Prayer Times in the Qur’an
According to Jarir bin Abdullah: (We were with the Prophet Muhammad م وسلم, and he looked up at the full moon one night and said: “You will see your Lord as you see this moon, and you will not be harmed in seeing Him. If you can avoid being overtaken by a prayer before sunrise and before sunset, do so.” He then recited: (وَسَبِّحْ بحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ الغُرُوبِ), Ismail said: “Do so, do not miss it”).
Some scholars have inferred from this narration concerning the times of Fajr and Asr prayers as mentioned in Surah Q. Prominently, the arguments made by scholars regarding the five daily prayers from the Qur’an were summarized by Abdul Razzaq al-Sanani in his compilation through Asim from Al-Thawri from Abu Razin.
In a debate with Nafi bin al-Azraq, Ibn Abbas stated: “Indeed, I find the five prayers in the Qur’an.” He then recited: (فَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ حِينَ تُمْسُونَ وَحِينَ تُصْبِحُونَ); alluding to Maghrib and Fajr, (وَعَشِيًّا وَحِينَ تُظْهِرُونَ); related to Asr and Dhuhr, (وَمِنْ بَعْدِ صَلَاةِ الْعِشَاءِ); indicating Isha prayer.