Islamic Utilities
How Islamic Prayer Times Are Calculated: Solar Angles, Math & Astronomical Formulas Explained
A clear, respectful explanation of how daily prayer timings (Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha) are mathematically computed based on your GPS coordinates.
By TRENDYOO TECH Islamic Tools Desk
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Published: 2026-10-21
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8 min read
In Islamic tradition, the five daily prayers are tethered to observable natural solar events rather than fixed wall-clock minutes:
| Prayer (صلاة) | Astronomical Definition | Solar Calculation Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr (الفجر) | True dawn (Subh Sadiq) | Sun reaches 18° (or 15°) below the eastern horizon. |
| Sunrise (الشروق) | End of Fajr interval | Upper limb of the Sun appears above the horizon. |
| Dhuhr (الظهر) | Solar noon (Zawal) | Sun passes its highest daily zenith point on the local meridian. |
| Asr (العصر) | Afternoon shadow progression | Shadow of an object equals its length + noon shadow (Shafi'i/Hanbali/Maliki) or twice its length (Hanafi). |
| Maghrib (المغرب) | Sunset | Sun's upper disc fully disappears beneath the western horizon. |
| Isha (العشاء) | Nightfall (disappearance of twilight) | Sun reaches 18° (or 15°) below the western horizon. |
Official Companion App
Namaz Waqt (नमाज़ वक़्त)
Bilingual Islamic Prayer Times & Qibla Compass
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do prayer times differ between different mobile apps?
Minor differences (1–3 minutes) stem from calculation conventions (e.g., Muslim World League 18° vs ISNA 15° for Fajr/Isha) or whether atmospheric refraction corrections are applied.