THE TIME FOR ZUHR SALAAT
The time for Zuhr Salaat begins immediately after Zawaal or mid-day. The time of mid-day or Zawaal is calculated by dividing the hours of daylight by two, and adding the result to the time of sunrise, e.g:
1. Example
   Sunrise 6.30a.m
   Sunset  5.30p.m
   = Number of daylight hours = 11 hours
   Divide by two = 5 1/2 hours
   Add to Sunrise time 6.30a.m + 5 1/2 hours = 12.00
    Zawaal will be at 12pm
It is forbidden to perform Salaat at the time of Zawaal. After Approximately five minutes (i.e five minutes after Zaw-waa) Zuhr time commences.
The time for Zuhr Salaat lasts until the length of the shadow of an object becomes twice the size of the object plus the size of the shadow which was cast at the time of Zawaal.
THE TIME FOR ASR SALAAT
Asr time begins immediately upon the expiry of Zuhr time, and lasts until sunset. However, it is Makrooh (reprehensible) to delay the performance of Asr Salaat until the sun’s ray become yellowish and dim as is the case before sunset.
THE TIME FOR MAGHRIB SALAAT
Immediately after sunset the time for Maghrib Salaat commences, and it lasts until the white glow of twilight remains.
THE TIME FOR ISHAA SALAAT
The time for Isha Salaat begins immediately after expiry of the time of Maghrib, i.e immediately after the white glow of twilight disappears. Ishaa time lasts until Fajre Awwal or Subh sadiq (True Dawn). The moment Fadre Awwal enters, Ishaa time expires.
HOW TO PERFORM SALAAT
Salaat consists of units. Each unit is called a Raka’t. There are two Raka’t , three Raka’t and four Raka’t Salaats in the Fardh or obligatory category of Salaat.
Each unit or Raka’t consists of the following essential component parts:
The posture of standing erect which is called Qiyaam.
Recitation of some verses of the Holy Quran. This is termed Qiraat.
The posture of genuflexion or bowing lowly which is called Ruku’.
The posture of prostration or placing the forehead on the ground. This is called Sujood. Each unit or Raka’t has two Sujoods, ie the prostration has to be performed twice in each Raka’t .
Every two Raka’t s are followed by a sitting posture. In other words it is necessary to sit in a kneeling-type posture after completing two Raka’ts of any Salaat. This kneeling posture is known as Qa’dah.
Two Sujoods (prostrations) are always separate by a kneeling posture. The kneeling posture, which separates one Sujood from other , is called Jalsah.
THE METHOD OF PERFORMING A TWO & FOUR – RAKA’T SALAAT
The Musalli stands erect, facing the Qiblah, gaze cast down. He forms the Niyyat (intention) for his Salaat and says:
ALLAHU AKBAR
As he utters, he raises both hands upwards towards his head in such a manner that the palms of both hands face the Qiblah, and the hands should be raised to a height where the thumbs are in line with the lobes of the ears. Once the hands reach the required height the Musalli should immediately bring them down and fold them below the navel. When folding the hands the Musalli should ensure that:
The right hand is on top of the left hand
The right hand should clasp the left hand in such a manner that the thumb and the little finger of the right hand encircle the left hand wrist, and the other three fingers of the right hand should be spread horizontally along the left forearm immediately above the wrist.
Once the hands have been folded as explained above , the Musalli should recite the following:
SUB-HANNA-KAL-LAA-HUM-MA WA BI-HAMDI-KA WA TA- BAA-RAKAS- MU-KA WA TA-AALA JAD-DU-KA WA LAA-ILAA-HA GHAY-RUK.
Translation: Glory unto You, Oh Allah! All praise unto You. Blessed is your Name and Most High is Your Majesty. There is none worthy of worship, but You.