Dhuhr
/ˈðuːr/noun
The Islamic prayer performed after the sun has passed its zenith, usually around midday.
Did you know?Dhuhr comes from Arabic ẓuhr, a word connected with both “noon” and the idea of something appearing, becoming visible, or standing out.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*ẓ-h-r
“A reconstructed root associated with appearing, becoming visible, or being outwardly manifest”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
ẓahara (ظهر)
“To appear, become manifest, or be outward”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
ẓuhr (ظهر)
“Noon; the time when the sun is visibly high after passing its zenith; also related to “back” or outward side”
7th Century
Quranic Arabic
ṣalāt al-ẓuhr
“The noon prayer, one of the five prescribed daily prayers in Islam”
19th–20th Century
English
dhuhr
“An English transliteration used for the Islamic noon prayer”