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TIMINGS FOR THE DAILY SUPEREROGATORY (NĀFILAH) PRAYERS

Ruling 755. The nāfilah of ẓuhr is performed before the ẓuhr prayer, and its time commences from the time of ẓuhr and continues until the time it is possible to perform it before performing the ẓuhr prayer. However, if one delays performing the nāfilah of ẓuhr until the time that the shadow of an indicator (shākhiṣ), which is visible after the time of ẓuhr, becomes two-sevenths the length of the indicator – meaning that if the length of the indicator is seven spans, the shadow becomes two spans in length – then in such a case, it is better to perform the ẓuhr prayer before the nāfilah prayer unless one has performed one rakʿah of the nāfilah prayer before [the shadow of the indicator becomes two-sevenths the length of the indicator], in which case it is better to complete the nāfilah prayer before the ẓuhr prayer.

Ruling 756. The nāfilah of ʿaṣr is performed before the ʿaṣr prayer, and its time continues until the time it is possible to perform it before performing the ʿaṣr prayer. However, if one delays performing the nāfilah of ʿaṣr until the time that the shadow of an indicator becomes four-sevenths the length of the indicator, it is better to perform the ʿaṣr prayer before the nāfilah prayer, except in the case mentioned in the previous ruling.

Ruling 757.* The time for the nāfilah of maghrib starts after performing the maghrib prayer and continues until the time it is possible to perform it after performing the maghrib prayer within its prescribed time. However, if one delays performing the nāfilah of maghrib until the redness of the western sky – which is visible after the sun sets – disappears, it is better that he first perform the ʿishāʾ prayer.

Ruling 758. The time for the nāfilah of ʿishāʾ is after performing the ʿishāʾ prayer until midnight, and it is better that it be performed immediately after the ʿishāʾ prayer.

Ruling 759. The nāfilah of the ṣubḥ prayer is performed before the ṣubḥ prayer. Its time commences after the time it takes to perform the night prayer (ṣalāt al-layl) at its earliest time, and continues until there is still time to perform it before the ṣubḥ prayer. However, if one delays performing the nāfilah of ṣubḥ until the redness of the eastern sky becomes visible, it is better that he first perform the ṣubḥ prayer.

Ruling 760. Based on the opinion held by most jurists (mashhūr), the commencement of the nāfilah of the night is midnight. Although this is accordant with recommended precaution and better, it is not farfetched (baʿīd)[1] that its commencement be the start of the night and its time continue until the time of the morning call to prayer. It is better that the nāfilah of the night be performed near the time of the morning call to prayer.

Ruling 761. If a person wakes up at the appearance of daybreak, he can perform ṣalāt al‑layl without making the intention of adāʾ or qaḍāʾ.

[1] For practical purposes, a legal opinion that is termed ‘not farfetched’ equates to a fatwa.
THE GHUFAYLAH PRAYER → ← RECOMMENDED (MUSTAḤABB) PRAYERS
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