Accurate prayer times for Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Monthly Prayer Timetable
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a twilight angle and how does it affect prayer times?
The twilight angle is the angle of the sun below the horizon used to calculate Fajr and Isha prayer times. Different Islamic organizations use different angles:
- 18° - Muslim World League, University of Islamic Sciences (Karachi)
- 15° - Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
- 19.5° - Egyptian General Authority of Survey
- 17.7° - Institute of Geophysics, University of Tehran
A larger angle results in earlier Fajr and later Isha times.
What's the difference between Hanafi and Shafi Asr calculation methods?
The two main methods for calculating Asr time are:
- Standard (Shafi, Maliki, Hanbali, Jafari): Asr begins when the shadow of an object equals the length of the object itself (plus the shadow at noon)
- Hanafi: Asr begins when the shadow of an object is twice the length of the object (plus the shadow at noon)
The Hanafi method results in a later Asr time, typically 30-60 minutes after the Standard method.
What are High Latitude Rules and when are they used?
High Latitude Rules are special calculation methods used in regions where normal twilight doesn't occur during certain times of the year. These rules become necessary at different latitudes:
🌍 Critical Latitudes:
- Above 48.5°N: Sun doesn't go 18° below horizon (longest day)
- Above 51.5°N: Sun doesn't go 15° below horizon (longest day)
- Above 54.5°N: Sun doesn't go 12° below horizon (longest day)
- Above 60°N: Extreme conditions requiring special rules
- Above 66.5°N: Midnight sun/polar night periods
🇪🇺 European Countries (Partial or Complete):
- Norway - Entire country (above 58°N)
- Sweden - Northern regions (above 55°N)
- Finland - Most of country (above 60°N)
- Iceland - Entire country (around 64°N)
- Denmark - Northern areas (around 57°N)
- Scotland (UK) - Northern regions (above 55°N)
- Northern Russia - Vast areas (above 55°N)
- Estonia - Northern regions (around 59°N)
- Latvia - Some areas (around 57°N)
- Lithuania - Some areas (around 56°N)
🇺🇸🇨🇦 North America:
- Alaska (USA) - Entire state (above 55°N)
- Northern Canada - Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
- Canadian Provinces (Northern parts): Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Labrador (above 55°N)
⚙️ High Latitude Calculation Methods:
- Twilight Angle: Most important - adjusts the twilight angle calculation for high latitudes
- Middle of Night: Divide the night into two halves
- Seventh of Night: Divide the night into seven parts
⭐ Most Important Setting: Twilight Angle
Twilight Angle is the most crucial setting for high latitude regions. It automatically adjusts the twilight angle calculations when the sun doesn't reach the required depth below the horizon. This is the recommended method for most high latitude situations as it maintains the original calculation method while adapting to local conditions.
🎯 Which Rule to Select:
🌍 Locations 48.5°N - 60°N:
Countries: Southern Sweden, Denmark, Northern UK, Southern Canada, Northern Germany, Scotland
- Primary Recommendation: Twilight Angle
- Alternative: Middle of Night
- When: May-August (summer months)
- Why: Twilight Angle preserves your chosen calculation method while adapting to high latitude conditions
🌍 Locations Above 60°N:
Countries: Northern Finland, Norway, Iceland, Northern Canada, Northern Alaska, Northern Sweden
- Primary Recommendation: Twilight Angle
- Alternative: Seventh of Night
- When: April-September (extended period)
- Why: Essential for areas with midnight sun or very short nights
🌍 Arctic Circle (66.5°N+):
Countries: Far Northern Norway, Northern Finland, Greenland, Northern Alaska, Arctic Canada
- Recommendation: Seventh of Night or Middle of Night
- When: March-October (most of the year)
- Why: During midnight sun periods, time-based divisions are more practical than angle-based calculations
📅 Seasonal Guidelines:
Why do prayer times vary between different Mosques, apps and websites?
Prayer time variations occur due to several factors:
- Calculation Method: Different organizations use different twilight angles
- Madhab: Hanafi vs. Standard Asr calculation methods
- Manual Adjustments: Some communities add safety margins
- Geographic Precision: Exact coordinates vs. city-level approximations
- Timezone Handling: How daylight saving time is processed
Understanding Small Time Differences:
Sometimes you will see small offsets of 1 to 2 minutes which is normal because of the longitudinal coordinates but overall should be close. But if you want to do away with the offsets you can then use the manual adjustments to add or subtract some minutes. If you see larger offsets, then it's probably a bug or you've selected a method that has far different Fajr and Isha angles.
This is the case with all the prayer apps and websites including local mosque's as there's no one particular standard method that everyone uses but rather different methods from different Islamic fiqh councils.
Most scholars will tell you to just pick the method that your local community uses and stick with it and your prayers and fasting will be accepted InshaAllah.
It's recommended to follow the method used by your local mosque or Islamic center.
How do I adjust prayer times for my local community?
To get the most accurate prayer times for your area:
- Check with your local mosque or Islamic center for their preferred calculation method
- Use the Settings panel to select the appropriate calculation method
- Choose the correct Madhab (Hanafi or Standard) for Asr calculation
- Apply any manual adjustments (±minutes) if recommended by local scholars
- For high latitude locations, select the appropriate High Latitude Rule
Many communities publish annual prayer timetables - compare our calculations with those for verification.
What should I do if prayer times seem incorrect for my location?
If prayer times appear incorrect, try these steps:
- Verify your location is correct (check the location name displayed)
- Ensure you're using the right calculation method for your region
- Check if your area requires High Latitude Rules (for northern/southern regions)
- Compare with local mosque timetables and adjust settings accordingly
- Consider manual time adjustments if your community uses them
Remember that slight variations are normal and acceptable within Islamic jurisprudence.
Important: Configure Your Prayer Time Settings
For the most accurate prayer times, please configure the settings to match what your local mosque or Islamic community uses. Different regions and communities may prefer different calculation methods.
Recommended Steps:
- Click the "Settings" button above to open the preferences panel
- Select the calculation method used by your local community
- Choose the appropriate Madhab for Asr calculation (Hanafi or Standard)
- If you're in a high latitude region (above 48°N), select the appropriate High Latitude Rule
- Apply any manual adjustments recommended by your local scholars
Note: Many mosques publish annual prayer timetables. We recommend comparing our calculated times with your local mosque's schedule and adjusting the settings accordingly for the best accuracy.