MUHAMMAD’S TEACHINGS TO MANKIND
“ A man came to the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him, and asked him about the times for prayer. The Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him said, "Stay with us, if God wills." He then instructed Bilāl who called (announced) the start of prayer(1) when dawn broke. Thereafter, he instructed him and Bilāl called the start of prayer when the sun passed its zenith, and he prayed the noon prayer (2). Then, he instructed him and Bilāl called the start of prayer, and he prayed the afternoon prayer (3) while the sun was white and high in the sky. Then, he instructed him to call for the sunset prayer (4) when the highest tip of the sun fell (below the horizon). Then, he instructed him to call for the evening prayer (5) and Bilāl called the start of prayer when the twilight disappeared. The following day, he instructed him [to call for the pre-dawn prayer] when there was clear daylight. Then, he instructed him to call for the noon prayer and waited for the weather to cool and the extreme heat to subside before praying. Then, he instructed him to call for the afternoon prayer, and he (Bilāl) called the start of prayer while the sun was at the end of its time, beyond what it was previously(6). Then, he instructed him to call for the sunset prayer and delayed the sunset prayer until shortly before the twilight disappeared. Then, he instructed him to call for the evening prayer and he (Bilāl) called the start of prayer when one third of the night had passed. Then he said, "Where is the man who inquired about the times for prayer?" The man replied, "Here I am." He (the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be upon him) then said, "The times for prayer are between these two (times)."(7) Footnote: 1. (Iqāmah): A shorter and quicker version of the call to prayer that is made to announce that the prayer is about to start. It is usually made up to twenty minutes after the call to prayer (Athān) to give worshippers time to gather for prayer. 2. Second prescribed prayer of the day. 3. Third prescribed prayer of the day. 4. Fourth prescribed prayer of the day. 5. Fifth prescribed prayer of the day. 6. Meaning that on the second day he prayed the afternoon prayer when the shadow of an object was twice its size, and on the first day he prayed it when the shadow of an object was equal to its size. 7. Meaning that the time that the prayer was made on the first day was the starting point for the prayer time, and the time it was made on the second day was its ending time. ”
