Chapter on the Prayer Times (Mawaqit)

Sa‘d ibn Abdullah from Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yahya, who said: One of our companions wrote to Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “It has been narrated from your forefathers regarding ‘one footstep, two footsteps, four footsteps, one height (qamah), two heights, a shadow equal to yourself, one arm’s span, and two arm’s spans.’” So Imam عليه السلام, peace be upon him, wrote in reply: “Neither one footstep nor two footsteps (are required). When the sun passes its zenith, the time of the two prayers has entered, and before them is a ‘subhah’ (supererogatory prayer) which is eight rak‘ahs. If you wish, you may lengthen it, and if you wish, you may shorten it. Then pray the Dhuhr prayer. When you finish, between Dhuhr and ‘Asr there is a ‘subhah’ as well, which is eight rak‘ahs. If you wish, you may lengthen it, and if you wish, you may shorten it. Then pray the ‘Asr prayer.”