Prayer, or Salat, is one of the five pillars of Islam, and observing the prescribed prayer times is a core tenet of the faith. For Muslims in Des Moines, Iowa, knowing the correct prayer schedule is essential for daily life.
This page provides accurate prayer times for Des Moines, Iowa, calculated using various methods to suit individual preferences. We’ll cover the times for Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (noon), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and Isha (night) prayers, so you can plan your day accordingly.
Understanding Islamic Prayer Times
Observant Muslims pray five times each day, facing the holy city of Mecca. These prayers have specific names and are performed at specific times of day:
- Fajr: Dawn prayer, performed before sunrise
- Dhuhr: Midday prayer, performed after the sun has passed its highest point
- Asr: Afternoon prayer
- Maghrib: Sunset prayer
- Isha: Night prayer
Each prayer is composed of rakats, prescribed movements and recitations. The number of rakats varies from prayer to prayer.
Islamic teachings emphasize the importance of offering each prayer at the correct time. There’s a permissible window of time for each prayer, and it’s important to be aware of these times to fulfill this central tenet of Islam.
How are prayer times calculated?
Prayer times are calculated based on the position of the sun in the sky, adjusted for your location’s latitude and longitude. It’s a bit complex, and different organizations may use slightly different methods.
Adding to the complexity, different Islamic schools of thought (Hanafi, Shafi, Maliki, Hanbali, and Jafria) may have slightly different interpretations, especially for Asr prayer. The main difference lies in when Asr begins. Some traditions calculate it when the shadow of an object equals its height, while others wait until the shadow is twice the object’s height.
Many websites and apps that provide prayer times allow you to customize these calculations based on your preferred school of thought or local customs. This means you can adjust the settings to match what’s most commonly practiced in your community.
Today’s Prayer Times in Des Moines
Here are the prayer times for Des Moines, Iowa, for today, April 2, 2025. Remember that these times are approximations and can vary slightly based on your exact location within the city. It’s always a good idea to confirm with your local mosque or Islamic center for the most accurate schedule.
- Fajr (Dawn): 5:37 AM
- Sehri (Pre-Dawn Meal, if applicable): Ends at 5:37 AM
- Ishraq (Sunrise): 7:10 AM – 10:06 AM
- Dhuhr (Noon): 1:18 PM
- Asr (Afternoon): 4:54 PM
- Maghrib (Sunset): 7:41 PM
- Iftar (Breaking Fast, if applicable): 7:42 PM
- Isha (Night): 9:00 PM
Here’s a breakdown of the Rakats (units of prayer) for each obligatory prayer:
- Zuhr: 12 Rakats (4 Sunnah, 4 Farz, 2 Sunnah, 2 Nafl)
- Asr: 8 Rakats (4 Sunnah, 4 Farz)
- Maghrib: 7 Rakats (3 Farz, 2 Sunnat, 2 Nafl)
- Isha: 17 Rakats (4 Sunnah, 4 Fard, 2 Sunnah, 2 Nafl, 3 Witr, 2 Nafl)
Wrapping Up
For Muslims, knowing the correct prayer times is an important part of daily life.
If you’re in Des Moines, Iowa, you can find accurate prayer times through a variety of resources, including websites, apps, and local mosques.
We encourage you to use the information we’ve provided to help you fulfill your daily prayers and connect with your faith.