Islamic Midnight Calculator | Tahajjud Time & Last Third of Night

Islamic Midnight Calculator - Find Your Tahajjud Time

Use this free Islamic midnight calculator to find the exact time for Tahajjud prayer and the last third of the night at your location. Our tahajjud calculator uses GPS to give you precise times based on actual sunset and sunrise.

Quick answers:

• Islamic midnight = midpoint between Maghrib and Fajr (not 12:00 AM)
• Last third of night = best time for Tahajjud, dua, and seeking forgiveness
• Tahajjud time = starts when last third begins, ends at Fajr

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What is Islamic Midnight?

Islamic midnight, known in Arabic as “Nisf al-Layl” (نصف الليل), represents the exact midpoint between sunset (Maghrib) and sunrise (Fajr). Unlike the conventional midnight displayed on clocks (12:00 AM), Islamic midnight is calculated astronomically based on the actual duration of darkness at your specific location.

Want to understand the last third of the night better? Read our complete guide: When Is the Last Third of the Night? Calculate Tahajjud Time

The concept of Islamic midnight is rooted in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who provided guidance about the preferred timing for certain prayers. Specifically, the Witr prayer—an emphasized voluntary prayer performed after Isha—is recommended to be prayed before Islamic midnight according to several authentic hadiths. The Prophet said, “Verily, Allah is Witr (One) and loves that which is Witr. So pray Witr, O followers of the Qur’an” (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi).

Understanding Islamic midnight is essential for Muslims who want to follow the Prophetic guidance precisely. Since night length varies throughout the year and across different geographic locations, Islamic midnight shifts daily. In summer months when nights are shorter, Islamic midnight may occur around 11:30 PM or even earlier. Conversely, during winter months with longer nights, Islamic midnight can be as late as 1:00 AM or beyond.

The calculation method is straightforward yet requires precision: take the time of sunset, find the time of the next day’s sunrise, calculate the duration between them, divide that duration by two, and add the result to sunset time. For example, if sunset occurs at 7:00 PM and the next sunrise is at 6:00 AM, the night lasts 11 hours. Half of this duration is 5 hours and 30 minutes, making Islamic midnight 12:30 AM (7:00 PM + 5:30 hours).

This astronomical approach to defining midnight reflects the Islamic tradition of aligning worship practices with natural cosmic cycles. Just as prayer times are determined by the position of the sun, Islamic midnight anchors certain acts of worship to the earth’s rotation and the actual experience of night.

Why Calculate Islamic Midnight?

Calculating Islamic midnight serves several important religious purposes for practicing Muslims. The primary reason relates to the timing of the Witr prayer, which holds special significance in Islamic worship. While Witr can be prayed anytime after Isha prayer and before Fajr, the recommended and more virtuous time is before Islamic midnight.

Scholars from various schools of Islamic jurisprudence have discussed the preferred timing for Witr. According to the Hanafi school, those who wake up regularly for Tahajjud (night prayer) should delay Witr until after Tahajjud. However, for those who might not wake up, it’s recommended to pray Witr before sleeping, ideally before Islamic midnight. This ensures that this emphasized Sunnah prayer is not missed entirely.

Beyond Witr, understanding Islamic midnight helps structure a Muslim’s nighttime worship. Some scholars use midnight as a reference point for dividing the night into portions, which helps determine optimal times for various voluntary acts of worship. The early night (between Isha and midnight) is considered excellent for rest after the day’s worship, while the latter portion of night—especially the last third—is designated for deep spiritual connection through Tahajjud prayers.

Knowing the exact time of Islamic midnight also helps Muslims avoid praying too close to dawn. Since Fajr prayer time begins at true dawn (first light), there’s wisdom in completing night prayers well before this time to avoid any confusion or rushing. By calculating midnight, worshippers can better plan their night, ensuring adequate rest while also preserving time for worship.

Furthermore, in contemporary times when Muslims live in diverse geographical locations with varying sunset and sunrise times, having an accurate Islamic midnight calculator becomes even more crucial. Someone living in Alaska during summer might experience extremely short nights, while someone in Norway during winter might have extremely long nights. Traditional “rule of thumb” timings don’t work universally, making precise calculation tools essential for following the Sunnah correctly.

The Last Third of Night (Tahajjud Time)

The last third of the night represents the most spiritually potent time for personal worship and connection with Allah. This period, beginning roughly four to five hours before Fajr and extending until the dawn prayer, is when the gates of divine mercy are most open, as described in numerous prophetic traditions.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Our Lord, the Blessed and Superior, descends every night to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains, and He says, ‘Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to his invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?’” (Sahih Bukhari, 1145; Sahih Muslim, 758).

This hadith establishes the last third of night as a golden opportunity for making dua (supplication), seeking forgiveness, and performing voluntary prayers known as Tahajjud or Qiyam al-Layl. The name “Tahajjud” itself comes from the Arabic root meaning “to give up sleep,” reflecting the sacrifice required to wake during these precious hours.

Calculating the last third of night requires determining the total night duration from Maghrib (sunset) to Fajr (dawn), dividing this period into three equal parts, and identifying when the final third begins. For instance, if Maghrib is at 7:00 PM and Fajr is at 5:00 AM, the night lasts 10 hours. One-third of this duration is 3 hours and 20 minutes, meaning the last third begins at approximately 1:40 AM (5:00 AM minus 3:20).

The virtue of praying during this time is repeatedly emphasized in the Quran and Sunnah. Allah praises those who “forsake their beds to invoke their Lord in fear and aspiration” (Quran 32:16). The Prophet described Tahajjud as “the best prayer after the obligatory prayers” (Sahih Muslim, 1163), and historical accounts show that the early righteous generations would spend significant portions of this time in worship.

Practical experience shows that waking for Tahajjud requires discipline and planning. Setting multiple alarms, sleeping earlier in the evening, and maintaining intention before sleep all help in waking during this blessed time. Even if one can only manage 10-15 minutes of prayer and dua during the last third, the spiritual benefits—including increased mindfulness, emotional peace, and closeness to Allah—make the effort worthwhile.

Our calculator displays the exact start and end times for the last third of night based on your location and the current date, removing any guesswork and allowing you to plan your night worship effectively.

How Night Duration is Calculated

Understanding how night duration is calculated in Islamic astronomy helps appreciate the precision behind prayer time calculations and midnight determinations. Unlike the fixed 12-hour day and 12-hour night division used in some cultures, Islamic calculations are based on actual observable solar positions.

Night duration begins precisely at sunset, defined as the moment when the sun’s upper edge disappears below the horizon. This marks the beginning of Maghrib prayer time and the start of the Islamic night. The night continues through the period of complete darkness and ends at the break of true dawn (Fajr al-Sadiq), when the first light appears on the eastern horizon before sunrise.

Astronomically, this period involves three twilight phases:

1. Civil Twilight (immediately after sunset): The sun is 0-6 degrees below the horizon, and considerable light remains in the sky.

2. Nautical Twilight: The sun is 6-12 degrees below the horizon; horizon is no longer visible.

3. Astronomical Twilight: The sun is 12-18 degrees below the horizon; this is when complete darkness begins and star observation becomes optimal.

Different Islamic calculation methods use different solar angle depressions to determine when Fajr begins. For example:

• Muslim World League (MWL) uses 18 degrees for Fajr
• ISNA uses 15 degrees for Fajr
• Umm al-Qura (Makkah) uses 18.5 degrees for Fajr
• Egyptian Authority uses 19.5 degrees for Fajr

These variations exist because classical scholars in different regions observed dawn at slightly different solar depression angles due to geographical and atmospheric differences. There’s no single “correct” angle; rather, Muslims should follow the method adopted by their local Islamic authority or mosque to maintain community unity.

The total night duration, therefore, varies based on:

• Geographic latitude: Locations closer to the poles experience extreme seasonal variations in night length
• Time of year: Summer solstice brings the shortest nights, winter solstice the longest
• Calculation method: The angle used for Fajr affects when night is considered to end

For example, in Cairo, Egypt during summer solstice, night might last only 8-9 hours, while during winter solstice it could extend to 14-15 hours. In Oslo, Norway, the variation is even more dramatic, with summer nights of just 4-5 hours and winter nights exceeding 18 hours.

Our midnight calculator automatically handles all these complexities. It determines your location, selects the appropriate calculation method, accounts for the current date, and computes the precise night duration—then uses this to calculate both Islamic midnight and the last third of night with accuracy.

Calculation Methods Explained

Islamic prayer time calculation is a sophisticated science that combines religious tradition with astronomical precision. While the physical basis for prayer times (the position of the sun) is universal, different scholarly traditions have developed slightly varying calculation parameters, leading to multiple recognized methods.

Muslim World League (MWL) Perhaps the most widely used method globally, MWL uses an 18-degree angle for Fajr and typically uses the same for Isha in most regions. It was developed by the Muslim World League’s Islamic World Congress in 1984 and is recommended for Europe, Americas, and much of Asia.

Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) This method uses a 15-degree angle for both Fajr and Isha, resulting in slightly later Fajr times and earlier Isha times compared to MWL. It’s commonly used in the United States and Canada and is favored for its moderate approach suitable for North American latitudes.

Umm al-Qura (Makkah) Used officially in Saudi Arabia, this method uses 18.5 degrees for Fajr and a fixed 90-minute interval after Maghrib for Isha (or 120 minutes during Ramadan). Since Makkah is the holiest city in Islam, many Muslims worldwide prefer adopting this method out of reverence, though it may not be astronomically optimal for all locations.

Egyptian General Authority of Survey This method uses 19.5 degrees for Fajr and 17.5 degrees for Isha, producing relatively early Fajr times. It’s predominantly used in Egypt, Sudan, and parts of Africa. The parameters are based on extensive observations conducted in Cairo.

University of Islamic Sciences, Karachi Using 18 degrees for Fajr and Isha, this method is common in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and Afghanistan. It represents a balanced approach suitable for the South Asian region’s latitude range.

Institute of Geophysics, University of Tehran This method uses 17.7 degrees for Fajr and 14 degrees for Isha, reflecting calculations suited for Iran’s geographical location. It’s used primarily in Iran and among Shia communities following Iranian scholarly guidance.

Shia Ithna Ashari (Jafari) Used by Twelver Shia communities, this method employs 16 degrees for Fajr and 14 degrees for Isha. It’s based on the jurisprudential rulings of Shia scholars and is most common in Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon.

Which Method Should You Use?

The choice of calculation method is ultimately a matter of following local Islamic authority and community practice. Here are guiding principles:

1. Follow your local mosque: If your community mosque uses a specific method, aligning with it ensures you pray in congregation at the correct times.

2. Consider your school of thought: Some Shia Muslims specifically follow the Jafari method, while Sunni Muslims might choose based on their madhab or regional tradition.

3. Account for your latitude: Higher latitude locations (above 48°) may require special considerations or methods designed for extreme daylight variations.

4. When traveling: Adopt the local method of your destination to pray with the local Muslim community.

5. Personal caution: Some scholars recommend using the method that gives the earliest Fajr and latest Isha in your area to ensure prayers are definitely within their valid time ranges.

Our calculator allows you to easily switch between all major calculation methods, helping you understand how timing varies and enabling you to make an informed choice based on your circumstances.

Best Times for Night Prayers

The Islamic night offers multiple blessed periods for voluntary worship, each with its own merits and spiritual characteristics. Understanding these optimal times helps structure a meaningful night worship routine.

After Isha Until Midnight (Early Night)

The time immediately following Isha prayer until Islamic midnight is considered good for various acts of worship. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would sometimes pray Witr early in this period, especially when traveling or during illness. This time is suitable for:

• Witr prayer (for those who might not wake later)
• Recitation of Quran, particularly Surah al-Mulk before sleep
• Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and evening supplications
• Islamic learning and reflection

However, excessive late-night activity is discouraged; the Prophet recommended sleeping early after Isha to preserve energy for Fajr and subsequent worship.

After Midnight Until the Last Third (Middle Night)

This middle portion of night is characterized by deep quiet and minimal worldly distractions. While not as emphasized as the last third, it’s still a blessed time. Some righteous predecessors would divide their night worship into portions, beginning in this middle period. This time suits:

• Extended Quran recitation
• Deep reflection and contemplation
• Breaking up sleep cycles (sleeping before and after)
• Personal spiritual renewal

The Last Third of Night (Most Blessed)

As discussed extensively above, this is the supreme time for worship. The divine descent mentioned in hadith, the acceptance of supplications, and the spiritual ambiance make this period unparalleled. Recommended acts include:

• Tahajjud prayer (minimum 2 rak’ahs, ideally 8-11)
• Witr prayer (if not already performed)
• Extensive dua and seeking forgiveness
• Recitation of Quran with contemplation
• Prostration and extended submission to Allah

Just Before Fajr (Pre-Dawn)

The final moments before Fajr adhan represent the tail end of the blessed period. The Prophet emphasized waking for Fajr prayer in its earliest time. This brief window is for:

• Final supplications before dawn breaks
• Seeking forgiveness (Istighfar)
• Completing Witr if not yet prayed
• Preparing spiritually for Fajr

Practical Scheduling Advice

For most working Muslims, waking for the entire last third might not be feasible daily. Here’s a balanced approach:

• Option 1 (Full Night Worship): Sleep from 10 PM to 2 AM (4 hours), wake for the last third, pray Tahajjud until near Fajr (approximately 2-3 hours of worship), perform Fajr, then take a brief rest if possible.

• Option 2 (Moderate Approach): Sleep early after Isha with intention to wake for Tahajjud. Set an alarm for 1-1.5 hours before Fajr. Perform ablution, pray 2-8 rak’ahs of Tahajjud, make dua, pray Witr, rest briefly, then prepare for Fajr.

• Option 3 (Minimal but Consistent): Wake up 30-45 minutes before Fajr, perform 2 rak’ahs of Tahajjud, make heartfelt dua for 5-10 minutes, pray Witr, and prepare calmly for Fajr.

• Weekend Intensification: Dedicate Friday nights (Thursday after Maghrib until Friday Fajr) for extended worship, knowing Friday is the best day of the week.

The key is consistency over intensity. Praying two rak’ahs during the last third every night is superior to praying 20 rak’ahs once a month. The Prophet said, “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are most consistent, even if they are small” (Sahih Bukhari, 6464).

Our Islamic Midnight Calculator helps you determine exactly when each of these blessed periods begins and ends, enabling you to craft a sustainable and spiritually fulfilling night worship routine.

How to Use This Calculator

Using the Islamic Midnight Calculator is simple and intuitive:

1. Set Your Location: Click “Auto-Detect Location” to use GPS, or manually enter your latitude and longitude coordinates. You can save multiple locations for future use.

2. Select Date: Choose the date for which you want to calculate midnight. The calculator defaults to today’s date but allows you to plan ahead or look at past dates.

3. Choose Calculation Method: Select the Islamic prayer time calculation method used in your region (MWL, ISNA, Makkah, etc.). If unsure, consult your local mosque.

4. View Results: The calculator instantly displays:

   • Islamic midnight time (the main result)
   • Last third of night start and end times
   • Total night duration
   • Related prayer times (Maghrib, Isha, Fajr, Sunrise)

5. Save and Export: Save your favorite locations, export times to your calendar app, or print a reference sheet for offline use.

6. Switch Languages: Use the language selector to view the interface and results in English, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Indonesian, or Malay.

Whether you’re planning your Witr prayer, scheduling Tahajjud worship, or simply wanting to understand Islamic timekeeping better, this calculator provides accurate, reliable results based on your exact location and date.

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Related Guides

• When Is the Last Third of the Night? - Complete guide with hadith, calculation, and Tahajjud tips
• How to Find Qibla Direction - Face the right direction for prayer
• Ghusl Checklist - Ensure purification before night prayer

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May Allah accept your night prayers and grant you the blessing of worshipping during the most sacred hours. Use this tool to enhance your spiritual practice and draw closer to your Creator during the blessed nights.