The Time of Istiwa’ (Zenith)

Question

From when until when does the time of zawal last? What are its beginning and end according to the standard clock time? That is, in summer from when until when should one wait out the time of zawal before beginning some nafl, for example tahiyyat al-masjid and the like? And how much of a difference, and what kind, should be kept in winter compared with summer?

Answer

At midday (nisf al-nahar), that is, at the time of the sun’s istiwa’ (zenith), prayer is makruh tahrimi. The duration of this time is not such that a prayer could be performed in it — it is very short: by standard clock time it is not even one minute.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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