Maghrib (Sunset Prayer)
The fourth daily prayer, performed just after sunset.
Maghrib (Arabic: مغرب) is the fourth of the five daily obligatory prayers in Islam. The word "maghrib" means "west" or "sunset" in Arabic and refers to the time when the sun disappears below the western horizon.
The Maghrib prayer consists of three rak'ah and is unique in this number, as the other prayers have either two or four. It should be prayed immediately after sunset, and it is sunnah to pray it quickly after the adhan — there is not a long waiting period as with the other prayers.
Maghrib time is the most precise of all prayer times, as it is directly linked to an observable astronomical phenomenon: the sunset. It is calculated as the moment when the sun's upper edge disappears below the horizon. This varies dramatically — from around 3:30 PM in December to 10:00 PM in June at higher latitudes.
Maghrib also marks the time for iftar (the meal to break the fast) during Ramadan, when Muslims break their fast. It is tradition to break the fast with dates and water, as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did.
Related terms
Madhhab (School of Law)
An Islamic school of law with its own methodology for legal derivation from the sacred sources.
Sahifa al-Sajjadiyyah (The Psalms of Sajjad)
A collection of supplications from the 4th Imam, called "The Psalms of Islam."
Tilawah (Quran Recitation)
Recitation of the Quran, which is a central part of prayer and daily worship.
Minaret (Prayer Tower)
The mosque's tower, from which the adhan (call to prayer) is traditionally recited.
Umrah (Lesser Pilgrimage)
The lesser pilgrimage to Mecca, which can be performed at any time of the year.
Rawatib (Regular Sunnah Prayers)
The voluntary prayers regularly prayed before and after the obligatory prayers.