Is the method of calculating the time for the Asr prayer by dividing the time between Asr and Maghrib to determine the times of virtue (fadilah), desirability (istihbab), permissibility (jawaz), reprehensibility (karahah), and forbidden prayer (salat al-tahrim), as mentioned by one of the female preachers, correct, and does this method also apply to the Dhuhr prayer?
It is not true that Asr has five separate times, as the questioner mentioned; rather, this misconception arose for the one who told him that. The correct view is that Asr has five times according to some scholars, namely: time of virtue (waqt fadilah), time of choice (waqt ikhtiyar), time of permissibility without dislike (waqt jawaz bila karahah), time of permissibility with dislike (waqt jawaz ma'a karahah), and time of excuse (waqt udhr).
An-Nawawi explained their division: Time of virtue: From the beginning of its time until a person's shadow becomes its length plus half its length. Time of choice: Until it becomes twice its length. Time of permissibility without dislike: Until the sun turns yellow. Time of permissibility with dislike: During the yellowing until the sun sets. Time of excuse: The time of Dhuhr for one who combines prayers due to travel or rain.
Other scholars hold that Asr has two times: a time of choice and a time of necessity. They differed in defining the time of choice, with some saying it is until the shadow of an object becomes twice its length, and others saying it is until the sun turns yellow. What comes after the time of choice is a time of necessity, and it is forbidden to delay the prayer until then without an excuse.
The cure for obsessive whispers (waswasah) is to ignore them and not pay them any attention.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/138792