What time is the prayer in Mecca today?

Prayer times in Makkah (Mecca) change daily because they are based on the position of the sun, not fixed clock hours.

There are five daily prayers:

• Fajr – at dawn

• Dhuhr – just after the sun passes its highest point

• Asr – late afternoon

• Maghrib – immediately after sunset

• Isha – night, when twilight disappears

Authentic sources to check today’s exact times:

• Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques (Haramain) official schedules

• Umm al-Qura calendar (used officially in Saudi Arabia)

• Trusted apps based on Saudi calculations (e.g., Muslim World League method)

📖 “Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.”
— Qur’an 4:103

Do Muslims pray at 3 PM?

Sometimes — but not always.

• 3 PM may coincide with Asr prayer on some days and in some locations

• On other days, Asr may be earlier or later

• Muslims do not pray by fixed clock times, but by prayer windows

📖 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The time of Asr prayer is as long as the sun has not turned yellow.”
— Sahih Muslim

So if 3 PM falls within Asr time, then yes — otherwise, no.

What is the forbidden prayer time in Makkah?

Even in Makkah, there are specific times when voluntary prayer is disliked or forbidden, according to authentic hadith:

🚫 Forbidden or disliked times:

1. After Fajr until the sun fully rises

2. When the sun is at its zenith (right before Dhuhr)

3. After Asr until sunset

📖 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Do not pray at the time of sunrise or sunset, for the sun rises and sets between the horns of Shaytan.”
— Sahih Muslim

🕋 Special note about Makkah:

Some scholars allow Tahiyyat al-Masjid (greeting the mosque) and Tawaf prayer at almost any time in the Haram, based on scholarly consensus and authentic reports — but regular voluntary prayers still follow the general rule.

How do I pray to Mecca?

Muslims do not pray to Mecca, but toward the Ka‘bah, which is in Mecca. This direction is called the Qiblah.

🧭 Steps:

1. Face the Qiblah (Ka‘bah in Makkah)

2. Make intention (niyyah) in your heart

3. Perform wudu (ablution)

4. Pray the required salah following the Sunnah

📖 “So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram.”
— Qur’an 2:144

If you’re unsure of direction:

• Use a Qiblah compass

• Use a trusted Qiblah app

• Ask knowledgeable locals

Allah accepts prayer even if the direction is slightly off when one has tried sincerely.

Why is Makkah called Mecca?

Makkah (مكة) is the original Arabic name mentioned in the Qur’an.
Mecca is simply the English transliteration used historically in Western languages.

The Qur’an uses multiple names for the city, including:

• Makkah – the most direct name

• Bakkah – referring specifically to the area around the Ka‘bah

• Umm al-Qurā (Mother of Cities) – highlighting its central spiritual status

📖 “Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Bakkah—blessed and a guidance for the worlds.”
— Qur’an 3:96

So, Makkah and Mecca refer to the same holy city; the difference is linguistic, not religious.

How much is one prayer in Makkah?

One prayer performed in al-Masjid al-Haram is rewarded 100,000 times more than a prayer performed elsewhere (except where specified).

📖 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“One prayer in my mosque is better than a thousand prayers elsewhere, except al-Masjid al-Haram.”
— Sahih Bukhari

📖 In another authentic narration:

“A prayer in al-Masjid al-Haram is worth one hundred thousand prayers.”
— Ahmad, Ibn Majah (graded authentic by scholars)