FAQ
📖 How to Use
- Enter your city name or click "Use My Location".
- Select your preferred calculation method (default: Karachi/UISK).
- View all five daily prayer times.
- Use the Qibla compass to find the direction of Makkah.
Prayer Times — How Islamic Salat Times Are Calculated
The five daily prayers (Salat) in Islam are tied to the position of the sun — not to fixed clock times. Fajr begins at astronomical dawn (when the first light appears on the horizon), Dhuhr at solar noon, Asr in the afternoon, Maghrib at sunset, and Isha when darkness fully settles. Because the sun's position changes throughout the year and varies with geographic location, prayer times differ by location, shift throughout the seasons, and require astronomical calculation rather than a fixed schedule.
This tool calculates prayer times using your device's location (GPS or manual city entry) and your preferred calculation method — producing an accurate timetable for any day of the year at any location on Earth.
How Prayer Times Are Calculated
Prayer time calculation requires three astronomical values:
- Solar declination — the angle between the sun and the celestial equator, which varies from +23.45° (summer solstice) to −23.45° (winter solstice)
- Equation of time — the difference between apparent solar time and mean solar time, correcting for Earth's elliptical orbit
- Latitude of the observer — determines how high the sun rises and how long days are
From these, the solar noon (Dhuhr) is calculated. Other prayers are derived relative to solar noon and the sun's angle below the horizon (for Fajr and Isha) or shadow length (for Asr).
Calculation Methods Explained
| Method | Fajr Angle | Isha Angle | Used By |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Islamic Sciences, Karachi (UISK) | 18° | 18° | Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Afghanistan |
| Muslim World League (MWL) | 18° | 17° | Europe, Far East, parts of America |
| Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) | 15° | 15° | North America |
| Egyptian General Authority of Survey | 19.5° | 17.5° | Africa, Syria, Lebanon, Malaysia |
| Umm al-Qura (Saudi Arabia) | 18.5° | 90 min after Maghrib | Saudi Arabia, parts of Gulf |
The angle refers to the sun's depression below the horizon — a larger angle means Fajr begins earlier (darker) and Isha ends later.
Asr Time: Hanafi vs. Shafi Difference
Asr timing has two scholarly positions: Shafi/Hanbali/Maliki — Asr begins when the shadow of an object equals its height (1× shadow); Hanafi — Asr begins when the shadow equals twice the object's height (2× shadow). The Hanafi Asr time is approximately 1–1.5 hours later than the Shafi time. For Pakistani users following Hanafi jurisprudence, always select the Hanafi Asr option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do calculated prayer times differ from my mosque's timetable?
Mosques typically add a safety margin (2–5 minutes to Fajr, sometimes to Isha) to the calculated astronomical time, ensuring the prayer doesn't begin before the correct time. They may also round to the nearest 5 minutes for practicality. The calculated time is the precise astronomical reference; the mosque time includes this safety buffer.
How accurate is GPS-based prayer time calculation?
GPS coordinates allow calculation accurate to the minute for most of the year. The only exception is high-latitude locations (above 48°N or below 48°S) where Fajr and Isha times become problematic because the sun never drops to the required angle below the horizon during summer months. For Pakistan (24°–37°N), GPS-based calculation is fully accurate year-round.
What time zone does the calculation use?
The calculation uses your device's system time zone. Pakistan uses PKT (Pakistan Standard Time) = UTC+5. If your device is set correctly, the prayer times will display in local Pakistan time without any manual adjustment. If you're calculating for a different time zone (for travel planning), manually enter the city and the tool uses that city's time zone.
Does the tool provide Qibla direction?
Qibla direction (the bearing toward Mecca from your location) is shown alongside prayer times. The bearing is calculated using the great-circle formula and displayed in degrees from true north. Most major Pakistani cities face approximately 263–270° (roughly due west with a slight inclination) toward Mecca, though this varies by city.
Can I get a monthly prayer timetable for my city?
Yes — the tool includes a monthly view that shows all five prayer times for every day of the current month at your selected location. This is useful for planning Ramadan sehri and iftar times, or for printing a monthly timetable to put up at home or in the office.