Dhuhr

Dhuhr, meaning noon, is the second of the five daily prayers in Islam. It is obligatory for Muslims and is performed after the sun passes its zenith. In most Sunni and Shia traditions, Dhuhr consists of four obligatory rak'ahs, typically performed in the early afternoon and sometimes accompanied by optional sunnah prayers according to local practice.

The start time is when the sun begins its decline from the zenith; the end time is the beginning of the next prayer window, usually Asr. Exact times depend on locality and calculation methods, and may vary with season.

Dhuhr can be prayed individually or in a congregation. On Fridays, many Muslims attend the Jumu'ah prayer, a two-rak'ah congregational service followed by a sermon, which replaces the ordinary Dhuhr prayer for those who are able to attend.

Etiquette and requirements include ritual purification (wudu), facing the Qiblah toward Mecca, and performing the recitation and movements in order: standing, bowing (ruku'), and prostrations (sujood). The Qur'an is recited aloud in the first two rak'ahs of some traditions, while others recite silently.

Dhuhr is one of the five daily prayers, along with Fajr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha. Its timing reflects the sun’s position and thus varies by location, season, and calculation method. Differences exist among legal schools regarding exact timing and the number of rak'ahs, but Dhuhr remains a central daily act of worship for Muslims worldwide.