Dhuhr (Noon Prayer)
The second daily prayer, performed when the sun passes its zenith.
Dhuhr (Arabic: ظهر) is the second of the five daily obligatory prayers in Islam. The word "dhuhr" means "noon" and refers to the time when the sun has passed its highest point in the sky (zenith) and begins to move westward.
The Dhuhr prayer consists of four rak'ah and is prayed in the period from when the sun passes the zenith until the beginning of the Asr prayer. On Fridays, Dhuhr is replaced by the Jumu'ah prayer (Friday prayer) for men, which is prayed in congregation at the mosque.
Dhuhr time is calculated astronomically as the moment when the sun crosses the meridian (the highest point in the sky for that day). This typically falls between 12:00 and 13:30 depending on the season and daylight saving time. The exact time depends on the city's longitude — cities further west have a slightly later Dhuhr than cities to the east.
It is sunnah (recommended) to pray two or four rak'ah of sunnah prayer before Dhuhr and two rak'ah after. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was very attentive to these extra prayers.
Related terms
Sunnah Mu'akkadah (Emphasized Sunnah)
Voluntary prayers that the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed regularly and rarely omitted.
Shahadah (Declaration of Faith)
The first pillar of Islam: the testimony that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger.
Ghusl (Ritual Full-Body Washing)
The complete ritual washing of the entire body, required in certain situations.
Muezzin (Caller to Prayer)
The person who calls to prayer by reciting the adhan.
Du'a al-Qunut (The Qunut Supplication in Witr)
The special supplication recited during the last rak'ah of the Witr prayer.
Istighfar (Seeking Forgiveness)
Asking Allah for forgiveness for one's sins and mistakes.