Why prayer times change every day
Prayer times are set by the position of the sun. As the seasons change, sunrise and sunset move, and the prayer times move with them.
The sun sets the clock
- Fajr begins at dawn, when the sun is still a set angle below the horizon (usually between 15° and 20°).
- Dhuhr begins just after the sun passes its highest point.
- Asr depends on the length of shadows in the afternoon.
- Maghrib begins at sunset.
- Isha begins when the evening twilight has gone, usually when the sun is 15° to 18° below the horizon.
In summer, days are long, so Fajr is very early and Isha is late. In winter, the prayers are closer together.
Why do timetables sometimes differ?
Islamic organisations use slightly different angles for Fajr and Isha. These are called calculation methods. For example, the Muslim World League uses 18° for Fajr, while ISNA (North America) uses 15°. This can make a difference of 10 to 30 minutes for Fajr and Isha. Sunrise, Dhuhr and Maghrib are almost the same everywhere.
This website chooses the method most used in your country automatically. You can change it in .
Far north and far south
In places like the UK, Scandinavia or Canada in summer, the sky may never get fully dark. Then the normal Fajr and Isha angles never happen. To solve this, scholars use a rule such as dividing the night into parts. We use the widely accepted “angle-based” rule by default.
Which time should I follow?
Calculated times are a reliable guide. But if your local mosque has a timetable, it is best to follow it, so you pray together with your community. Many mosques also add a few minutes for safety.