Chapter on Times of Prayer and Sign of Each of Its Times

Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa narrated it with a raised chain from Sama’ah, who said: I said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام: “May I be your ransom, when is the time of prayer?” He عليه السلام began turning to the right and left, as if he were looking for something. When I saw that, I picked up a stick and said: “Is this what you are looking for?” Imam عليه السلام said: “Yes.” Then He عليه السلام took the stick and set it upright facing the sun, and said: “When the sun rises, the shadow is long, and it continues to decrease until the sun passes the meridian. When it passes the meridian, it begins to increase again. When you clearly see the increase, then pray Dhuhr. Then wait the time it takes for one forearm, and pray ‘Asr.”