What Are Makruh Times? When Is Prayer Not Performed?
Makruh times (kerahat times) are the periods of the day in which performing prayer is considered disliked (makruh). They usually do not appear in daily prayer-time tables, but they matter to anyone who wants to pray a make-up (qada) prayer, a voluntary (nafl) prayer or the Duha (forenoon) prayer. In this article we rely on the explanation of the High Council of Religious Affairs of the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet).
For information only. For religious rulings, consult the Diyanet (Alo 190 Fatwa Line).
The three times when no prayer is performed
According to the Hanafi measure reported by Diyanet, there are three times a day, and their durations are given approximately as follows:
| Makruh time | Duration given by Diyanet | Start and end |
|---|---|---|
| At sunrise | About 40–50 minutes after the sun has risen | From the sunrise time until the end of the sunrise makruh time |
| Istiwa (sun at its zenith) | About 10 minutes before Dhuhr begins | Until Dhuhr begins |
| At sunset | About 40–50 minutes before sunset, from when the sun no longer dazzles the eyes | Until Maghrib begins |
In these times, make-up (qada) prayers and obligatory-by-ruling (wajib) prayers such as Witr are not performed; likewise, a funeral prayer for a funeral prepared before this time and a prostration of recitation (tilawah) for a verse of prostration recited earlier are not performed either. There is one exception for the makruh time approaching at sunset: if the obligatory Asr prayer of that day has not yet been prayed, it may be prayed while the sun is setting, although delaying it without an excuse is makruh.
The "45-minute istiwa" claim
On the internet and in some calendars, it is written that the istiwa makruh time lasts 45 minutes before noon. According to the measure published by Diyanet, the istiwa makruh time runs from about 10 minutes before Dhuhr begins until Dhuhr begins. The approximately 40–50 minute duration is the measure given for the makruh times after sunrise and before sunset. Mixing up these two pieces of information is a common mistake. In addition, the Maliki school does not count the istiwa time as a makruh time.
Times when only voluntary prayer is makruh
According to the Hanafi measure, an obligatory prayer may be performed at the following times, but voluntary (nafl) prayer is makruh:
- From Imsak until sunrise (except the Sunnah of Fajr),
- After the Asr prayer has been performed until sunset,
- After Maghrib begins and before the obligatory prayer is performed,
- On Friday, after the preacher has ascended the pulpit.
Differences between schools
In the Shafi'i school, only voluntary prayer without a reason is makruh at these times; prayers with a reason, such as obligatory prayers, make-up prayers, the regular Sunnah prayers (rawatib) and tahiyyat al-masjid (greeting the mosque), may be performed. The Malikis, on the other hand, do not count the istiwa time as a makruh time. You can consult Diyanet about which view to follow.
The Duha prayer and makruh times
According to Diyanet, the time of the Duha (forenoon) prayer begins about 40–50 minutes after sunrise and lasts until about 10 minutes remain before Dhuhr; between 2 and 12 rak'ahs may be prayed. In other words, Duha begins after the makruh time has ended. The Eid prayer also begins after the sunrise makruh time has passed and may be prayed until the makruh time before noon; Diyanet announces the Eid prayer time province by province.
Voluntary prayer times confused with makruh times
In calendars and apps, alongside the makruh times, you also see names of voluntary prayer times such as Ishraq, Duha, Awwabin and Tahajjud. To separate their relationship to the makruh times, one should look at Diyanet's explanation.
- Ishraq: A customary name used for the early part of the forenoon that begins when the makruh time after sunrise ends. Diyanet's fatwa on the Duha prayer has no separate definition of Ishraq; therefore Ishraq should be understood as the beginning of Duha and should not be presented as a separate prayer.
- Duha (forenoon): Begins after the makruh time ends and lasts until about 10 minutes before Dhuhr; according to Diyanet it is prayed in 2 to 12 rak'ahs.
- Awwabin: According to Diyanet, the prayer performed in the Duha time. Among the people, the name is also used for the voluntary prayer performed after Maghrib; however, this usage is based on a weak narration.
- Tahajjud: The night prayer performed after Isha, preferably after getting up from sleep. According to Diyanet it is prayed in 2 to 8 rak'ahs, in an even number; more is also permissible. It has no connection to the makruh times.
If you are setting a reminder, placing your Duha and Ishraq alarm after the end of the makruh time, that is, about 45–50 minutes after sunrise, prevents you from mistakenly intending a voluntary prayer in these times. The last third of the night is the final third of the period between Isha and Imsak, and it is regarded as virtuous for supplication and Tahajjud; you can see when it starts on the daily provincial pages.
Makruh times change through the year
Because makruh times depend on the moments of sunrise, zawal and sunset, they shift by a few minutes every day. In the summer months the sunrise makruh time falls in the early hours of the morning and in winter at later hours; the sunset makruh time falls the other way round, in the late evening hours in summer and in the early afternoon hours in winter. For this reason, instead of memorizing a fixed time, it is more accurate to look at the makruh times calculated from the daily times of the province you are in.
Example: Istanbul, 9 October 2026
When sunrise (with temkin) is 07:02 and the astronomical sunrise is 07:09, the sunrise makruh time is about 07:02–07:59. Since Dhuhr is 12:56, the istiwa makruh time is about 12:46–12:56. When the astronomical sunset is 18:34 and Maghrib is 18:41, the sunset makruh time is about 17:44–18:41. You can find today's makruh times for your own province on our provincial pages; the durations are shown there as approximate values.
Frequently asked questions
Can a make-up (qada) prayer be performed during a makruh time?
According to the Hanafi measure reported by Diyanet, make-up prayers are not performed at sunrise, at midday and at sunset. In the Shafi'i school, make-up prayers may be performed at these times. It is recommended to consult Diyanet about which to follow.
How long does a makruh time last?
According to Diyanet, it lasts about 40–50 minutes after sunrise, about 10 minutes before Dhuhr begins, and about 40–50 minutes before Maghrib begins.
When is the Duha prayer performed?
It begins about 40–50 minutes after sunrise and continues until about 10 minutes remain before Dhuhr. According to Diyanet, 2 to 12 rak'ahs may be prayed.
Sources
- Diyanet Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu, Hangi vakitlerde kaza ve nafile namaz kılınmaz?
- TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, Vakit maddesi
- Diyanet Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu, Kuşluk (duhâ) namazı ne zaman ve nasıl kılınır?
For information only. For religious rulings, consult the Diyanet (Alo 190 Fatwa Line).
About Mumin App. Mumin App is a free app that shows prayer times and plays the adhan when each prayer time begins. It shows no ads and does not ask you to sign up.
Get to know Mumin App · Daily prayer times · Get it on Google Play
Related guides
- How Are Prayer Times Determined? What Is Temkin?
How times are calculated from the sun, Diyanet's temkin margins and the mosque's morning adhan difference.
- How to Plan Qada (Make-Up) Prayers: 6 Prayers a Day in the Hanafi School
Which prayers are made up, the 6-prayers-a-day count and a realistic plan with a warning about makruh times.
- Friday (Jumu'ah) Prayer Time and How to Prepare
Friday prayer time, who it is obligatory for, the makruh-time caution and the Diyanet khutbah.