774. The nÁfilah of Ûuhr prayer is to be prayed before the Ûuhr prayer and its time is from the commencement of the time of Ûuhr. Based on obligatory precaution, the termination of its time is when the shadow of the stick , which is visible after the time of Ûuhr sets in, reaches 2/7th of the length of the stick itself. For example, if the length of the stick is seven hand spans, when the shadow of the stick reaches the length of two hand spans, based on obligatory precaution, it is the termination of the time for the nÁfilah of Ûuhr.
775. The nÁfilah of ‘aÒr prayer is to be prayed before ‘aÒr prayer. Based on obligatory precaution, the termination of its time is when the shadow of the stick, which is visible after the time of Ûuhr sets in, reaches 4/7th of the length of the stick itself. If a person wishes to pray the nÁfilah after their allotted time, based on obligatory precaution he should pray the nÁfilah of Ûuhr after Ûuhr and the nÁfilah of ‘aÒr after ‘aÒr and should not make the intention of adÁ or qaÃÁ.
776. The time for the nÁfilah of maghrib is after one completes his maghrib prayer and extends to the end of the time of maghrib. Based on recommended precaution, one should pray it before the disappearance of the redness that appears in the western sky after sunset. If one prays it after this time, he should do so without the intention of adÁ or qaÃÁ.
777. The time for the nÁfilah of ‘ishÁ is after one completes his ‘ishÁ prayer up until midnight. However it is better to offer it immediately after ‘ishÁ.
778. The time of the nÁfilah of fajr, based on obligatory precaution is after the first fajr up until the appearance of redness in the Eastern sky. If one wishes to perform it after the appearance of the redness, he should pray it after his fajr prayer. In such a case, he should not make the intention of adÁ or qaÃÁ. A person who performs the night prayer may also pray the nÁfilah of fajr immediately after the night prayer.
779. Based on the opinion of a great number of renowned scholars, the time of the night prayer is from midnight up until the adhÁn of fajr prayer. However, it is not implausible that its time is from the commencement of the night until the adhÁn of the fajr prayer and that it’s prime time is between midnight and the adhÁn of the fajr prayer. It is better to offer it in the last third of the night.
780. Even though according to a great number of renowned scholars, the time of the night prayer is from midnight. However, a traveler or one for whom it is difficult to pray at midnight, can pray it from the commencement of the night. It is not implausible that it is permissible for other than these two to pray it at that time as stated in the previous ruling.
