The five times of prayer are known as Z̤uhr, ʿAṣr, Mag͟hrib, ʿIshāʾ, and Fajr. There are also three voluntary periods called Ishrāq, Ẓuḥā, and Tahajjud.

The following is a table showing the exact number of rakʿahs to be performed at each service:—

No. Time. The Names of the Time of Prayer. The Number of Rakʿahs said.
Arabic. Persian. Urdu. Sunnat-i-g͟hair-i-muʾakkadah. Sunnat-i-muʾakkadah. Farz. Sunnah after Farz. Nafl. Witr.
The Five Periods of Prayer. 1 From dawn to sunrise. Ṣalātu ʾl-Fajr. Namāz-i-Subḥ. Fajr Kī Namāz. 2 2
2 When the sun has begun to decline. Ṣalātu ʾz̤-Z̤uhr. Namāz-i-Peshīn. Z̤uhr Kī Namāz. 4 4 2 2
3 Midway between No. 2 and 4. Ṣalātu ʾl-ʿAṣr. Namāz-i-Dīgar. ʿAṣr Kī Namāz. 4 4
4 A few minutes after sunset. Ṣalātu ʾl-Mag͟hrib. Namāz-i-Shām. Mag͟hrib Kī Namāz. 3 2 2
5 When the night has closed in. Ṣalātu ʾl-ʿIshā. Namāz-i-K͟huftan. ʿIshāʾ Kī Namāz. 4 4 2 2 7
The periods which are voluntary. 1 When the sun has well risen. Ṣalātu ʾl-ʿIshrāq. Namāz-i-ʿIshrāq. ʿIshrāq Kī Namāz. 8
2 About 11 o’clock A.M. Ṣalātu ʾẓ-Ẓuḥā. Namāz-i-Chast. Ẓuḥā Kī Namāz. 8
3 After midnight. Ṣalātu ʾt-Tahajjud. Namāz-i-Tahajjud. Tahajjud Kī Namāz. 9

According to the above table, a devout Muslim recites the same form of prayer at least seventy-five times in the day.

ʿAbdu ʾllāh ibn ʿUmar relates that the Prophet said, “The time for Z̤uhr prayers begins from the inclination of the sun towards the west and closes at the time when the shadow of a person shall be the length of his own stature, which time marks the beginning of the ʿAṣr prayers, and the time of the ʿAṣr prayers is from that time till the sun assumes a yellow appearance. The time of Mag͟hrib prayers is from sunset as long as the red appearance in the horizon remains. The time of ʿIshāʾ prayers is from that time till midnight. And the time of the Fajr prayers is from the break of day till the sun rises. Therefore, when the sun has risen you must not recite the morning prayer, for the sun rises between the horns of the devil.” (Mishkāt, book iv. ch. ii.)

It is the ordinary custom of Muslims to say their prayers with their feet uncovered, but strictly according to the Traditions it is lawful to cover the feet with boots or shoes during prayer, provided they are free from impurity.

Shaddād ibn Aus relates that Muḥammad said, “Act the reverse of the Jews in your prayer, for they do not pray in boots and shoes.”

Abū Saʿīd al-K͟hudrī relates that “the Prophet said prayers with his companions, and all on a sudden took off his shoes, and put them down on his left side, and when the people observed it, they took off theirs also; and when the Prophet had finished the prayers, he said, ‘What caused you to take off your shoes?’ They replied, ‘We did so in order to follow your example.’ And the Prophet said, ‘Verily Gabriel came to me and told me there was a little filth upon my shoes; therefore, when any one of you goes into a Masjid, look well at your shoes first; and if you perceive any dirt, wipe it off, and then say your prayers in them.’ ” (Mishkāt, book iv. ch. ix. pt. 2.)

Any wandering of the eyes, or of the mind, a coughing or the like, answering a question, or any action not prescribed to be performed, must be strictly avoided (unless it is between the Sunnah prayers and the farẓ, or be difficult to avoid; for it is held allowable to make three slight irregular motions, or deviations from correct deportment); otherwise, the worshipper must begin again and recite his prayers with due reverence.