How Are Islamic Prayer Times Calculated? Methods, Schools & High Latitudes

How Are Islamic Prayer Times Determined?

Islamic prayer times are calculated using the position of the sun relative to the horizon. Each of the five daily prayers corresponds to a specific solar angle, varying by geographic location and time of year.

Muslims pray five obligatory prayers (Salah) daily at specific times determined by the position of the sun. These prayer times vary by location and change throughout the year as day length varies with the seasons.

Try our Prayer Times Calculator to find accurate times for your location.

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The Five Daily Prayers

Fajr (Dawn Prayer) Fajr begins at true dawn when the first light appears on the horizon and ends at sunrise. This is the most challenging prayer to catch because it requires waking before sunrise. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever prays the two cool prayers (Fajr and Asr) will enter Paradise” (Bukhari).

Dhuhr (Noon Prayer) Dhuhr begins when the sun passes its zenith (highest point) and starts to decline. It ends when an object’s shadow equals its length plus its noon shadow (for Shafi) or twice its length plus noon shadow (for Hanafi). On Fridays, Dhuhr is replaced by the congregational Jumu’ah prayer for men.

Asr (Afternoon Prayer) Asr time begins when Dhuhr ends and continues until sunset. However, the preferred time ends when the sun turns yellow/orange before setting. The Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of this prayer, warning against missing it.

Maghrib (Sunset Prayer) Maghrib begins immediately after sunset when the sun’s disk disappears below the horizon. It’s the shortest prayer window, ending when the red twilight fades. Muslims traditionally break their fast at Maghrib time during Ramadan.

Isha (Night Prayer) Isha begins when the red/white twilight disappears (depending on the calculation method) and lasts until midnight or Fajr. The preferred time is before the first third of the night ends.

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How Are Prayer Times Calculated Using Sun Position?

Prayer times are calculated using the sun’s position relative to the horizon:

Prayer	Astronomical Definition
Fajr	Sun 12-19.5 degrees below horizon (varies by method)
Sunrise	Sun at horizon (0.833 degrees accounting for refraction)
Dhuhr	Sun at local meridian (highest point)
Asr	Shadow = object length x factor (1 or 2) + noon shadow
Maghrib	Sun at horizon (sunset)
Isha	Sun 12-18 degrees below horizon (varies by method)

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How Do Different Calculation Methods Work?

Different calculation methods use varying sun angles for Fajr and Isha, set by regional Islamic authorities. Popular methods include ISNA for North America, MWL for Europe, and Umm Al-Qura for Saudi Arabia.

Different Islamic authorities use different sun angles for Fajr and Isha, leading to various calculation methods:

ISNA (Islamic Society of North America) Uses 15 degrees for both Fajr and Isha. Developed for North American conditions where 18 degree methods can produce extremely early Fajr times in summer at higher latitudes. Recommended for USA and Canada.

Muslim World League (MWL) Uses 18 degrees for Fajr and 17 degrees for Isha. The most widely used method globally, suitable for Europe, Americas, and most of Asia. A balanced approach that works well at most latitudes.

Umm Al-Qura (Saudi Arabia) Uses 18.5 degrees for Fajr and a fixed 90 minutes after Maghrib for Isha (120 minutes in Ramadan). Used in Saudi Arabia and preferred by many Muslims worldwide due to its connection to the Holy Mosques.

Egyptian General Authority of Survey Uses 19.5 degrees for Fajr and 17.5 degrees for Isha. Common in Egypt, Sudan, and parts of Africa. Produces earlier Fajr times than most methods.

University of Islamic Sciences, Karachi Uses 18 degrees for both Fajr and Isha. Standard in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and Afghanistan.

Diyanet (Turkey) Turkey’s official calculation using 18 degrees for Fajr and 17 degrees for Isha, with specific adjustments for Turkish cities.

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What Is the Difference Between Hanafi and Shafi Asr Time?

The Hanafi school starts Asr when an object’s shadow reaches twice its length, while the Shafi method starts when the shadow equals the object’s length. This makes Hanafi Asr about 45-75 minutes later.

The two major methods for calculating Asr time differ in when they consider the prayer time to begin:

Shafi/Maliki/Hanbali Method (Standard) Asr begins when an object’s shadow equals its length plus the shadow length at noon. This is followed by the majority of Muslims worldwide.

Hanafi Method Asr begins when an object’s shadow equals twice its length plus the shadow length at noon. This results in Asr time being 45-75 minutes later than the standard calculation, depending on season and location.

Choose the method that matches your school of Islamic jurisprudence (madhab) or what your local mosque follows.

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How Are Prayer Times Adjusted at High Latitudes?

At latitudes above 48 degrees, the sun may not dip low enough for standard Fajr or Isha calculations during summer. Adjustments like angle-based, one-seventh, or middle-of-night methods are used instead.

At extreme latitudes (above 48 degrees N or below 48 degrees S), calculating prayer times becomes challenging because the sun may not reach the required angles for Fajr or Isha during summer months. Various adjustment methods exist:

• Angle-based: Uses a proportion of the night based on the required angle
• One-seventh: Fajr at 1/7th of the night before sunrise, Isha at 1/7th after sunset
• Middle of night: Uses midnight as reference for extreme cases

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Tips for Using Prayer Times Accurately

1. Verify with your local mosque - While calculations are accurate, local mosques may use slightly different methods or manual adjustments.
2. Allow time before each prayer - The times shown are when the prayer window begins. It’s Sunnah to pray early in the window.
3. Check for Daylight Saving - Most calculators adjust automatically, but verify during transition periods.
4. Save your preferences - Use the same calculation method consistently.
5. Use for travel - When traveling, change your location to get accurate times for your destination.

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Related Tools & Guides

• Prayer Times Calculator - Find accurate prayer times for your location
• Qibla Direction Finder - Find the direction to Makkah for prayer
• Islamic Midnight Calculator - Find the middle of the night for Tahajjud
• When is the Last Third of Night? - Best time for night prayers
• How to Pray Salah - Step-by-step prayer guide