Daily prayers (Salah)
Each prayer is tied to the position of the sun and generally takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
Fajr (Dawn)
This starts the day and marks the beginning of the fast.
Dhuhr (Midday)
This often falls during work hours and usually requires only a short break.
Asr (Afternoon)
This later day prayer may also overlap with work schedules.
Maghrib (Sunset)
This is performed at sunset when the fast is broken for the day.
Isha (Night)
The final obligatory prayer of the day.
Weekly and seasonal prayers
Jummah on Fridays
On Fridays, the midday prayer is replaced by a congregational prayer at a mosque. This typically includes a sermon and can take longer than a standard 10 minute break.
Taraweeh in Ramadan
After the final night prayer, many Muslims attend Taraweeh, which is a longer voluntary prayer. This is one reason why Ramadan evenings often run late and why colleagues may be more tired in the mornings.
Workplace support
Supporting prayer breaks is usually very simple and requires minimal adjustment to the office routine.
Space
A clean and quiet room is usually all that is needed for these short breaks.
Timing
Because prayer times shift slightly each day with the sun, flexibility of a few minutes is always appreciated.
Communication
Most colleagues are happy to work their breaks around meetings if there is clear communication in advance.
Ramadan and giving
A way to give back
If this guide helped you or your team, consider donating to support emergency medical care through Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). Share with colleagues and friends.