Can You Perform Dhuhr Prayer Before Its Time? Understanding Salah Timing for Students

Navigating Dhuhr Prayer Timing for Students in Schools and Colleges

Question: For those who go to school and college and miss the Dhuhr prayer, can they perform the Dhuhr prayer at home in the morning before going, considering that facilities are not easily available in schools and colleges in English-speaking countries?

Answer: The Dhuhr prayer cannot be performed before its designated time under any circumstances, even while traveling. There is no allowance for this. However, there is an allowance to delay the Dhuhr prayer and perform it at the last moment due to necessity, and then perform the Asr prayer at its earliest time. This is known as “combined apparent” (جمع صوری). This is permissible in cases of necessity, but it should not become a regular practice. The effort should always be to perform each prayer at its earliest time. For men, it is obligatory to perform the prayer in congregation at the mosque. If there is no mosque, then they should form a congregation with nearby people. The situation for women is different; they can perform the prayer alone at home or school, etc.

By Sheikh Maqbool Ahmad Salafi, Jeddah Dawah Center, Al-Salamah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia