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
Masjid al-Aqsa (The Farthest Mosque)
The third holiest mosque in Islam, in Jerusalem, connected to the Prophet's nocturnal journey.
Sunan Ibn Majah (Ibn Majah's Hadith Collection)
The sixth of the canonical hadith collections in Sunni Islam with unique narrations.
Amr bil-Ma'ruf wa Nahy 'an al-Munkar
Enjoining good and forbidding evil — an Islamic duty connected with prayer.
Du'a Kumayl (Kumayl's Supplication)
One of the most famous Shia supplications, taught by Imam Ali to Kumayl ibn Ziyad.
Tarawih (Ramadan Night Prayer)
The voluntary night prayer performed in congregation during Ramadan.
Tawakkul (Trust in Allah)
Total trust and reliance on Allah in all of life's matters.