Virginia Beach, VA
| Maghrib (night begins) | |
|---|---|
| End of the first third | |
| Islamic midnight (Maghrib to Fajr) | |
| Last third begins (Tahajjud) | |
| Fajr (night ends) | |
| Midpoint of sunset to sunrise |
Length of the night: 11 h 25 min.
How it is calculated
The night is taken from Maghrib to the next Fajr. The last third begins at Maghrib plus two thirds of that length, and Islamic midnight is its midpoint. Scholars differ on how the night is defined, so the midpoint between sunset and sunrise is shown as well.
Tonight's last third in major US cities
| City | Maghrib | Islamic midnight | Last third begins | Fajr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City, NY | ||||
| Los Angeles, CA | ||||
| Chicago, IL | ||||
| Houston, TX | ||||
| Phoenix, AZ | ||||
| Philadelphia, PA | ||||
| San Antonio, TX | ||||
| San Diego, CA | ||||
| Dallas, TX | ||||
| Jacksonville, FL | ||||
| Fort Worth, TX | ||||
| San Jose, CA | ||||
| Austin, TX | ||||
| Columbus, OH | ||||
| Charlotte, NC | ||||
| Indianapolis, IN | ||||
| San Francisco, CA | ||||
| Seattle, WA | ||||
| Denver, CO | ||||
| Washington, DC | ||||
| Nashville, TN | ||||
| Oklahoma City, OK | ||||
| El Paso, TX | ||||
| Boston, MA | ||||
| Portland, OR |
Tonight, local time in each city: the night from Maghrib to the next Fajr, divided into thirds.
Islamic midnight and the last third of the night
For Isha and night prayers the night is usually counted from Maghrib to Fajr. Islamic midnight is the halfway point, which is why it is rarely 12:00 AM on the clock. The last third, recommended for Tahajjud and supplication, begins two thirds of the way from Maghrib to Fajr.
Some scholars count the night from sunset to sunrise instead; the result page shows that alternative midpoint as well, so you can follow the opinion of your teacher or mosque.
Questions
When is the best time for Tahajjud?
The last third of the night, from the time shown until Fajr, is widely recommended. Prayer at any time after Isha and before Fajr counts as night prayer.
Why does Islamic midnight change every day?
Because Maghrib and Fajr move with the seasons; the midpoint between them moves too, and it shifts by an hour with daylight-saving time.