Prayer Times in Riyadh

According to Umm al-Qura Makkah prayer time calculation methods, today, 19 December 2024, Prayer Times in Riyadh are as follows: Fajr time: 5:08 AM, Zuhr time: 11:50 AM, Asr time: 2:49 PM, Maghrib time: 5:09 PM, and Isha time: 6:39 PM.
See below table for a more clear timing view. .

Next 7 Days Salah Time in Riyadh

The table below shows the Islamic prayer times of this city for the next seven days starting today. The calendar gives the Fajr time, sunrise time, Dhuhr time, Asar time, Maghrib time, and Isha time.

Whole Month Riyadh Prayer Times

For a complete monthly prayer calendar for Riyadh, please refer to the table below. It provides accurate prayer timings for each day of the month, helping you stay on track with your prayers throughout the month.

For Muslims, prayer is the most important pillar of Islam. The five daily prayers are more than just obligations; they’re opportunities to seek guidance, express gratitude, and find peace throughout the day. Each prayer time is a gentle reminder to pause, reflect, and reconnect with Allah.

Therefore, knowing the exact Salat times is crucial for offering this important Islamic practice. However, tracking these ever-changing times daily can be challenging, especially for Muslims living in or visiting a busy city like Riyadh.

Salatalert.com shared accurate prayer times in Riyadh. While interpretations of specific timings may vary, we’ve provided the generally accepted prayer times based on the Quran and Hadith as a reference according to Umm al-Qura Makkah prayer time calculation method :

• Fajr: Dawn (approximately sunrise minus 15-20 minutes)
• Dhuhr: Midday (when the sun reaches its peak)
• Asr: Afternoon (when the shadow of an object is the same length as the object itself)
• Maghrib: Sunset (when the last rays of the sun disappear from the horizon)
• Isha: Night (when the twilight disappears)

Namaz Timings According To Islamic Authentic Sources

It is essential for every Muslim to know the significance of offering prayers at prescribed times. These timings are derived from Quranic verses and Hadiths (sayings) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), which provide authentic sources for determining the exact periods when Muslims should perform different Salats. 

Here, we will discuss each prayer time along with accurate references.

Fajr (Dawn Prayer): Fajr time Riyadh begins with the first light of dawn and ends just before sunrise. It is a serene start to the day, allowing Muslims to seek guidance and blessings for the coming day. The Quran underscores the importance of this prayer: 

“By the dawn” (Quran 89:1). It is a time for spiritual reflection and preparation for the challenges of the day”.

Dhuhr (Noon Prayer): This prayer is offered when the sun has passed its zenith, providing a pause in the busy day. It allows people to reconnect with their faith and obligations amid their daily work. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) described this time in a Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, saying:

“When the sun passes the zenith, a man’s shadow is cast to the east, and the time for the Dhuhr prayer has begun..” This mid-day prayer serves as a refresher for one’s intentions.

Asr (Afternoon Prayer): Asr time Riyadh depends on an object’s shadow length. It reminds us to pause daily tasks and reflect on ourselves before it is too late. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in Sahih Muslim:

“The time of the Asr prayer is as long as the sun has not become yellow and the shadow of an object is the same as its length”.

This salah is an invitation to remember Allah in the middle of our afternoon.

Maghrib (Sunset Prayer): This prayer should be performed right after sunset, which marks the end of activities carried out during daylight hours; it is also known as dusk prayer or evening prayer. The Quran says:

“And perform the Salat at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e., the five daily prayers]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds.” (Quran 11:114).

Moreover, it is an opportunity for repentance and gratitude towards Allah’s mercies throughout the day.

Isha (Night Prayer): Isha time Riyadh begins when twilight has disappeared and ends shortly before midnight. It is a time to reflect upon one’s actions during daytime hours before concluding the cycle of daily prayers with devotion and reflection. 

The Hadith in Sahih Muslim, where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says:

“The time of the Isha prayer is until midnight,” emphasizes the flexibility and importance of this prayer time.

These prayers structure a Muslim’s day around reflection, community, and connection to God. This disciplined lifestyle fulfills them spiritually. By following these prescribed times, Muslims worldwide establish a rhythm between work obligations and spiritual development.

Rakats of Namaz and the Importance of Sunnah and Nafl Prayers

Islam has five daily prayers. These are composed of obligatory (fard) rakats and non-obligatory ones, which include Sunnah and Nafl prayers. The fard rakats must be performed to fulfill one’s religious duty, while the non-obligatory ones should be done to gain inner peace or self-discipline. 

Learning about this worship structure and why it is important to perform sunnah and nafl prayers more often can increase Muslims’ devotion to Allah worldwide.

Fajr (Dawn Prayer):

• Obligatory Rakats: 2
• Sunnah Rakats: 2 before the obligatory rakats

The Fajr prayer is considered one of the most valuable acts in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Two Raka’at prayers before dawn are better than this world, and all that is in it.” [Sahih Muslim]

Dhuhr (Noon Prayer)

• Obligatory Rakats: 4
• Sunnah Rakats: 4 before and two after the obligatory rakats
• Nafl Rakats: 2 after the Sunnah rakats

Dhuhr provides a spiritual break during the day. The Sunnah rakats associated with Dhuhr are a means to seek additional blessings. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “May Allah have mercy on a man who performs four rakats before the Asr prayer.” (Tirmidhi) While this refers specifically to Asr, it underscores the value of Sunnah prayers around the obligatory prayers.

Asr (Afternoon Prayer)

• Obligatory Rakats: 4
• Sunnah Rakats: None traditionally emphasized, but optional nafl prayers can be performed.

Asr’s timing and discipline remind Muslims to maintain righteousness throughout the later part of the day. Though Sunnah rakats are not explicitly prescribed, the observance of Asr itself is important, as mentioned by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):

“He who keeps Asr prayer, his good deeds will not be lost.” (Bukhari)

Maghrib (Sunset Prayer)

• Obligatory Rakats: 3
• Sunnah Rakats: 2 after the obligatory rakats
• Nafl Rakats: 2 after the Sunnah rakats

Maghrib is a crucial time for reflection as day turns into night. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever performs the Maghrib prayer, he is under Allah’s protection for the rest of the night” (Tirmidhi). This highlights the protective and spiritual benefits of diligently observing Maghrib.

Isha (Night Prayer)

• Obligatory Rakats: 4
• Sunnah Rakats: 4 and 2  after the obligatory rakats
• Nafl Rakats: 2 after the Sunnah rakats or more
• Witr Wajib: 1,3, or 5

Isha closes off formal worship activities each day, and it’s known for its timing and tranquillity. The Prophet Muhammad PBUH said about night prayers, including Isha,’ The best prayer after obligatory prayers is night prayer.’ (Muslim)

Although Sunnah and Nafl prayers are not obligatory, they are highly recommended because they provide additional opportunities to earn rewards, seek forgiveness, and gain higher ranks with one’s Creator.  They represent going beyond minimum requirements, becoming closer to Allah while seeking His mercy and pleasure.

Factors Influencing Prayer Times: Location and Elevation

Timing is essential for Islamic prayers since it is affected by geographical factors such as latitude, longitude, and altitude. These factors are important in understanding how different locations like Riyadh determine their prayer times.

Latitude and Its Impact on Prayer Times

Latitude refers to one’s distance North or South from the Equator, which greatly affects the length of day and night throughout a year. Jakarta is an excellent example of this; it almost always has equal days and nights, leading to a relatively stable timetable for Namaz throughout the seasons.

On the other hand, Oslo, being at a higher latitude, experiences excellent variations. During summer, days grow longer, meaning that Maghrib time in Riyadh is much later than in other cities near the equator.

Longitudes and Daily Prayers Times

The local time for each prayer is affected by longitudes, such as the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian. For instance, while Fajr in Riyadh may differ from Fajr in Dubai, even though the two cities may be found almost at the same latitudes, this disparity is caused by differences in their longitudes. 

Altitude and Its Consequences

Altitude also slightly affects prayer times, particularly for Fajr and Isha. At higher altitudes, twilight may take longer, which might postpone Fajr’s beginning and increase Isha’s duration. The sunrise in flat places like Riyadh will not change much, but it can be more apparent within the mountains.

As in all other places, prayer times in Riyadh change throughout the year due to variations in daylight hours brought about by the changing seasons.

Examples of How Salat Time in Riyadh Change

Fajr (Dawn Prayer): This prayer is performed before sunrise. During summer, you will notice that the Fajr prayer in Riyadh is much earlier because the sun rises earlier. In winter, Fajr is later because the sun rises later.

Dhuhr (Noon Prayer): This prayer is performed when the sun is at its highest point in the sky. As the days lengthen or shorten, the time for Dhuhr shifts slightly to match the sun’s position.

Asr (Afternoon Prayer): The timing for Asr prayer time in Riyadh depends on the length of the shadow an object casts, which changes with the season. In summer, Asr is later in the afternoon because the sun sets later.

Maghrib (Evening Prayer) and Isha (Night Prayer): Maghrib prayer time in Riyadh is just after sunset, and Isha prayer time is a bit later when the sky turns dark. Due to the sun setting earlier, these times are earlier in winter and later in summer.

Keeping Track Of When To Pray

Residents use various tools to keep accurate track of Riyadh prayer time. Prayer time calendars issued by local mosques and smartphone applications that display current prayer time in Riyadh are some resources used by residents to know when they should pray. These tools adjust daily to give accurate information about what is supposed to be done at any given moment, thus enabling people to stay within their prayer schedules throughout the year.

The Five Daily Prayers of Islam: Sunni, Shia, and Ahl-e-Hadith

In Islam, the five daily prayers are the backbone of a Muslim’s day and are a direct connection between the worshiper and Allah. Though all Muslims agree on these five obligatory prayers, there are some differences in their observance among the major sects, namely Sunni, Shia, and Ahl-e-Hadith.

Sunni Daily Prayers

The Sunnis, including their four schools – Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali- mostly have similar prayer times with slight variations in timing and conditions:

• Fajr: It starts at dawn and ends at sunrise.
• Dhuhr: Begins after the sun passes its zenith; it lasts until early afternoon.
• Asr: Time starts when an object’s shadow equals its length, except in Hanafis, where it is twice that length; it lasts till just before sunset.
• Maghrib: Starts immediately after sunset and continues till red twilight has left the sky.
• Isha: Time starts when twilight has wholly disappeared, which is later than the Maghrib prayer.

Shia Daily Prayers

Shias, especially those who follow Jafari school, have minor variations, mainly in starting times for prayers:

• Fajr: Starts when general illumination is on the horizon slightly earlier than Sunni practice.
• Dhuhr: It begins shortly after midday, very similar to Sunnis, but according to them, it may delay it slightly so that the sun is past its zenith.
• Asr: Generally starts shortly after Dhuhr; prayed almost immediately after Dhuhr within the time for prayer.
• Maghrib: This begins when the sun sets completely; it is usually combined with Isha in practical observation.
• Isha: In practical Shia observance, it starts right after Maghrib, whereas according to Sunnis, there is a clear gap between them.

Ahl-e-Hadith Daily Prayers

Ahl-e-Hadith approach is closer to earlier Sunni interpretations but with stricter following based on their understanding of hadiths:

• Fajr: Starts at first light of dawn; ends at sunrise.
• Dhuhr: Performed when the sun has passed its peak, similar to schools of thought among Sunnis.
• Asr: Begins when the shadow of an item equals its height, similar to non-Hanafi Sunni schools.
• Maghrib: Commences immediately after sunset, as in Sunni practice.
• Isha: Begins when full darkness has set in, aligning with conservative Sunni readings.

These differences show the Islamic community’s diversity and highlight how Islam can adapt itself to various interpretations and practices.

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Conclusion

Everyone needs to know about salah time in Riyadh, especially Muslims living in or visiting the city, as they need to keep up with the prayer time. The daily prayers of Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha change slightly through the year due to the length of days and nights, which are influenced by Riyadh’s specific location on the globe.

In other words, before sunrise, Fajr starts in Riyadh, and when it reaches its highest point around midday, Dhuhr happens. In this case, after sunset, Maghirb comes immediately, followed by Isha, which takes place when there is total darkness. Whether it’s Saudi prayer time in Riyadh, Saudi Riyadh salah time, or time for salah in Riyadh, each moment of prayer enriches the day, providing structured reflection and renewal.

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