The Times of Salaah (2/5)

When the sun reaches its zenith, what we term as zawwal – it is incorrect to refer to it as zawwal – the time is actually called istiwaa, the middle point, zuhr can be read after this. It differs from place to place and the different seasons. Zuhr time begins after Istiwaa. Zawwal shams means that the sun has moved away from the istiwaa, its zenith. About four or five minutes after the sun reaches its zenith one can begin zuhr. What time does Zuhr salaah end –, When the length of a stick that is inserted into the ground’s shadow is one, zuhr ends. The Shafis, Malikis and Hanbalis, majority of the scholars agree on this including Imam Abu Hanifah’s RA two best students are in agreement with this. According to the Hanafi madhab when that shadow is doubled, zuhr ends. It is best to read the salaah in the first shadow and not to take it to the second shadow because majority of the scholars say that that is already Asr time. The Shafis, Malikis and Hanbilis say we should try to read Zuhr as soon as the time sets in. According to the Hanafis, especially during summer when the sun sets late, delaying the time to pray zuhr is regarded as being better.