Prayer Times in Tehran.

Tehran prayer times: sample schedule (summer)

The following times are representative of a summer day in Tehran during the IRST daylight saving period (UTC+4:30). Actual times shift by several minutes each day, so use FivePrayer for today's precise schedule.

Prayer	Approximate Time (Summer)
Fajr	3:51 AM
Sunrise (Tulu)	5:22 AM
Dhuhr (Zohr)	12:26 PM
Asr	4:10 PM
Maghrib (Sunset)	7:29 PM
Isha	9:00 PM

Tehran sits at 35.69 degrees north latitude and 51.39 degrees east longitude, at an elevation of around 1,200 metres above sea level in the city centre, rising to over 1,800 metres in the northern suburbs near the Alborz mountains. This elevation means the sun rises slightly later and sets slightly earlier than at sea level, which slightly narrows the prayer windows compared to a coastal city at the same latitude.

The official Tehran calculation method

Iran's official prayer timetable is published by the Institute of Geophysics at the University of Tehran. This is distinct from international methods such as the Muslim World League (MWL) or the Egyptian General Authority of Survey method. Key parameters of the Tehran method include a Fajr angle of 17.7 degrees and an Isha angle of 14 degrees below the horizon. The method also uses a specific mid-day (zawal) formula that accounts for Tehran's distance from the centre of its time zone.

Iran Standard Time (IRST) is UTC+3:30 in winter and UTC+4:30 during the daylight saving period, which typically runs from late March to late September. The government announces the exact clock-change dates each year. FivePrayer handles this transition automatically.

One practical consequence of the Tehran calculation method is that Asr time is set slightly later compared to the Shafi'i or Hanbali madhabs used in many other Muslim-majority countries. This aligns with the Hanafi and Shia jurisprudence preference for a longer shadow to determine Asr onset.

Shia Ithna Ashari prayer practice in Tehran

Tehran is the capital of a country where the Shia Ithna Ashari (Twelver Shia) school of Islam is followed by approximately 90 to 95 percent of the Muslim population. This school of thought, established as the state religion since the Safavid period in the 16th century and reinforced by the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has several well-known prayer practices that differ from Sunni customs:

Combination of prayers: According to the Ithna Ashari jurisprudence of Ayatollah Khamenei and other leading marjas (religious authorities), it is permissible to combine Dhuhr and Asr prayers (performing both consecutively at Dhuhr time or at Asr time) and to combine Maghrib and Isha prayers. This is considered a valid concession for convenience, not an obligation. Many working Tehranis exercise this option, especially during busy weekdays. The official timetable still publishes separate preferred times for each of the five prayers.

Wiping versus washing in wudu: Shia Muslims wipe (masah) the feet rather than wash them during wudu. This is a commonly known difference, but it does not affect the prayer times themselves.

Adhan phrasing: The Shia adhan includes the phrase "Hayya ala khayril amal" (Hasten to the best of deeds) and, in some contexts, "Ashhadu anna Aliyyan waliyullah." Tehran mosques broadcast the adhan at official prayer times, and the city's air is filled with overlapping adhans from thousands of mosques.

Fajr prayer window: The window between Fajr adhan and Sunrise is relatively short in summer (around 90 minutes). Shia jurisprudence recommends delaying the Fajr prayer until the sky brightens (the second dawn, or Subh Sadiq), which aligns with the official Fajr time. The "first dawn" (Subh Kadhib) or "false dawn" is not used for prayer calculation.

Major mosques and Islamic sites in Tehran

Tehran has thousands of mosques, from grand state-funded complexes to small neighbourhood masajid. Here are the most significant:

Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque (Masjid-e Imam Khomeini): Located near Tehran Bazaar in the historic southern part of the city, this was originally the Shah Mosque (Masjid-e Shah), built in the Qajar era. After the Islamic Revolution it was renamed in honour of the revolution's leader. It is one of the city's most historically significant mosques and hosts large Friday prayers.

Grand Bazaar Mosque: The Tehran Grand Bazaar (Bazar-e Bozorg) contains several connected mosques and shrines woven into its covered lanes. The bazaar itself is a spiritual and commercial centre that has operated for centuries. Prayer times are announced and observed throughout the trading day.

Imam Reza Procession Culture: While the shrine of Imam Reza is in Mashhad (Iran's second city), the reverence for Imam Reza permeates Tehran's religious life. Millions of Tehranis make pilgrimage to Mashhad annually, and local mosque programmes frequently include lectures and ceremonies commemorating the Twelve Imams.

University of Tehran Friday Prayer: The University of Tehran hosts one of the largest Friday prayers in the world, attended by government officials, academics, and ordinary citizens. The prayer hall on the university grounds can accommodate tens of thousands of worshippers. Jummah begins at midday and is broadcast nationally.

Imamzadeh Saleh (Tajrish): In the northern, more affluent Tajrish neighbourhood, the Imamzadeh Saleh shrine is a major religious centre. The shrine and its surrounding area host constant prayers and religious gatherings, particularly on Shia holy days.

Mosque of Azam (Qom, nearby): While technically in Qom (140 km south of Tehran), the Masjid-e Azam and Hazrat Masumeh shrine complex is the spiritual centre of Shia Islam's most important seminary city. Many Tehran residents visit regularly.

Ramadan prayer times and Iftar in Tehran

During Ramadan, Tehran transforms. Iftar (breaking the fast at Maghrib) is a citywide event. Major intersections, parks, and mosque courtyards set up communal Iftar tables. The government distributes iftar packages in poorer neighbourhoods. State television broadcasts the Maghrib adhan as the signal for Iftar, and the city falls briefly quiet before the sound of people breaking their fast fills the air.

Suhoor (pre-dawn meal before Fajr) is signalled by the Fajr adhan and also by mosque loudspeakers in residential areas. In summer, the gap between Suhoor and dawn is short, and Tehranis typically wake around 3:00 AM to eat before the 3:51 AM Fajr. In winter Ramadan, the fasting hours are shorter, making observance somewhat easier at this latitude.

Tarawih prayers (Shia: Nafila night prayers) are observed throughout Ramadan in Tehran mosques, typically after the combined Maghrib and Isha prayers.

Practical prayer tips for visitors to Tehran

Prayer rooms everywhere: Tehran's major airports (Imam Khomeini International and Mehrabad Domestic), railway stations, shopping centres, hotels, and government buildings all include dedicated prayer rooms (namazkhane or musalla). This is a legal requirement in Iran.

Prayer rugs and Mohr: Shia Muslims traditionally use a prayer stone (mohr or turbah), a small tablet of dried clay from Karbala or another holy site, on which the forehead is placed during prostration (sujud). These are sold throughout Tehran's bazaars and are provided in most hotel rooms.

Time zone and app settings: When visiting Tehran, ensure your phone's time zone is set to Iran Standard Time (Asia/Tehran in most apps). FivePrayer auto-detects location and applies the correct calculation method and time zone automatically.

Dress code and prayer etiquette: Women are required to wear hijab in all public spaces in Iran, including when praying. Men should wear long trousers and keep their arms covered. Mosques in Tehran generally maintain a separation between male and female prayer areas.

FAQ

What calculation method is used for prayer times in Tehran?

The Institute of Geophysics at the University of Tehran provides Iran's official calculation. It uses a Fajr angle of 17.7 degrees and an Isha angle of 14 degrees, calibrated for the country's latitudes and is distinct from Sunni-oriented methods like the Muslim World League calculation.

Do Shia Muslims in Tehran combine Dhuhr and Asr prayers?

It is permissible in Ithna Ashari jurisprudence to combine Dhuhr with Asr and Maghrib with Isha as a concession. Many Tehranis practise this on busy weekdays. The official timetable still lists preferred separate times for each prayer.

What time is Fajr in Tehran in summer?

In summer (June to August), Fajr falls around 3:50 to 4:10 AM IRST (UTC+4:30). In winter (December to January), it is around 6:00 to 6:20 AM IRST (UTC+3:30). Install FivePrayer for today's exact time.

What is the Qibla direction from Tehran?

The Qibla bearing from Tehran is approximately 214 degrees from true north, pointing south-southwest. FivePrayer's built-in compass adjusts automatically for magnetic declination.

What are the main mosques for Jummah prayer in Tehran?

The University of Tehran Friday Prayer Hall and Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque are the two most prominent venues. Jummah Khutba begins around noon in summer. Hundreds of neighbourhood mosques also hold Jummah prayers throughout the city.