Prayer times are determined entirely by the sun's angle to the horizon and its position in the sky. Allah has stated in the Quran that prayers are prescribed at specific times.
Calculation of Each Time
- Imsak (Fajr): True dawn, the moment when light begins to spread across the eastern horizon. Astronomically, it is when the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon.
- Dhuhr (Noon): Begins just after the sun reaches its highest point (zenith) in the sky and shadows are at their shortest.
- Asr (Afternoon): Enters when the shadow of objects reaches their own length (or twice their length according to Imam Abu Hanifa) plus the shortest shadow at noon.
- Maghrib (Evening): The moment the sun completely sets below the horizon.
- Isha (Night): When the redness (twilight) in the western horizon completely disappears after sunset. Astronomically, it is when the sun drops 17 degrees below the horizon.
Astronomical Accuracy
Today, prayer times are calculated with high precision by institutions using sensitive astronomical formulas, taking latitude and longitude into account.