DUBAI: The Rhythm of Prayer in Dubai
The five daily prayers (Salah) are a fundamental pillar of Islam, and their timings are determined by the precise position of the sun. In Dubai, the official prayer schedule is managed and published by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD).
For residents and visitors, knowing the precise Azan (call to prayer) timings is essential for daily planning. As the UAE is in the winter season, the daylight hours are decreasing, causing the prayer times to shift earlier each day.
๐ Part 1: Official Dubai Prayer Times (Salah)
The following table provides the accurate prayer schedule for Monday, December 15, 2025, as officially governed by Dubai’s IACAD.
| Prayer (Salah) | Arabic Name | Time (Azan) | Notes |
| Fajr | ุงููุฌุฑ | 05:33 AM | The morning prayer, performed before sunrise. |
| Sunrise | ุงูุดุฑูู | 06:57 AM | Marks the end of Fajr time. No prayer is performed at this exact time. |
| Dhuhr | ุงูุธูุฑ | 12:14 PM | The midday prayer, performed shortly after the sun passes its zenith. |
| Asr | ุงูุนุตุฑ | 03:12 PM | The afternoon prayer. |
| Maghrib | ุงูู ุบุฑุจ | 05:32 PM | The evening prayer, performed immediately after sunset. |
| Isha | ุงูุนุดุงุก | 07:02 PM | The night prayer, the final prayer of the day. |
Note: These times are for the city of Dubai and may differ by a few minutes in other Emirates (like Abu Dhabi or Sharjah) due to geographical differences.
โณ Part 2: Understanding Daily and Seasonal Changes
The fixed prayer times are constantly adjusted based on solar movement. Here is what you need to know about the shifts:
1. Daily Shifts
- Fajr and Isha: These times are tied to astronomical twilight and change the most dramatically across seasons. In December, Fajr is relatively late, and the total daylight hours are shorter.
- Dhuhr: This time is fixed at Zawal (midday) and changes very minimally, usually by less than one minute per day.
- Maghrib: This time is precisely Sunset and shifts daily, moving earlier as the year progresses toward the winter solstice (Dec 21/22) and later towards the summer solstice (June 21).
2. Official Timing Source
The most reliable source for official daily prayer times in Dubai is the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD). These are the times that mosques across the Emirate use for the Azan.
3. Jumu’ah (Friday) Prayer
On Fridays, the noon prayer is replaced by the communal Jumu’ah prayer.
- The Azan for Jumu’ah is called at the same time as the regular Dhuhr prayer (e.g., 12:14 PM on this date).
- Mosques will typically begin the sermon (Khutbah) shortly after the Azan, followed by the congregational prayer.
๐ฑ Part 3: Essential Resources and Etiquette
Recommended Digital Resources
- IACAD Official Website: Provides the accurate, government-approved monthly prayer calendar.
- Athan/Prayer Apps: Apps like Muslim Pro or Athan are widely used, but ensure they are set to the “UAE/Dubai” calculation method (often based on the University of Islamic Sciences, Karachi or similar trusted methods).
- Local Mosque Timetables: Many prominent mosques (e.g., Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, or local community mosques) publish their schedules on local boards or websites.
Respecting Prayer Times
For all residents and visitors, respecting the timing of the Azan and Salah is a key element of living in the UAE:
- Noise and Music: During the Azan (the call to prayer), it is considered polite to pause loud music in public spaces, restaurants, or vehicles until the call is complete.
- Dress Code: If visiting a mosque or passing through a quiet residential area during prayer time, ensure you adhere to modest dress guidelines (covering shoulders and knees).
- Business Hours: Most companies and commercial activities continue as normal, but you may notice reduced staff or slight pauses in service around Dhuhr and Asr, especially during the Jumu’ah hour on Friday.
#DubaiPrayerTimes #SalahDubai #AzanTimeUAE #IACAD #DubaiMuslims #DubaiBuzz #DubaiDailyLife