Prayer Times

Islam > Prayer Times

Here are the prayer times for thousands of cities around the world. Prayer times are organized by continent. Click on your country and choose your city. You can then adjust settings if needed, such as changing the Fajr calculation angle or the time format (12/24).

Prayer Times Calendar

Click on the country flag to view prayer times. You will find most countries listed below:

• 🗺️ Europe
• 🏯 Asia
• 🦁 Africa
• 🦅 North America
• 🌴 South America
• 🏝️ Oceania
• 🌊 Caribbean

How are prayer times calculated?

Prayer time calculations are based on 2 astronomical data points. Without the sun's declination and the equation of time, it would be impossible to calculate prayer times.

The equation of time is the difference between apparent solar time when the sun crosses the meridian, and mean solar time which is the average rate of solar time used in clocks. Since Earth moves at varying speeds through its elliptical orbit, the difference can reach 16 minutes. It's the difference between time measured with a sundial and time measured with a clock.

The sun's declination is the angle between the sun's rays and the equator. Since Earth is tilted on its axis and rotates each year, the declination angle changes constantly. Each year, solar declination goes from -23.44 degrees to +23.44 degrees depending on the seasons.

Calculating prayer time

To calculate prayer times for a given location, you only need to know the latitude, longitude, and local time zone. The equation of time (EqT) and sun declination (D) are obtained for a given date using the algorithm.

The formula below calculates noon time, when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky. A slight margin is usually added for Dhuhr:

• Dhouhr = 12 + TimeZone - Lng / 15 - EqT.

Calculating sunrise time (Shurouq)

Sunrise, called "Shurouq" in Arabic, marks the end of the Fajr prayer time. Its calculation is based on the time difference between midday and the moment when the sun reaches an angle α below the horizon.

Astronomical sunrise and sunset occur at α = 0. However, due to refraction of light by Earth's atmosphere, actual sunrise appears slightly before astronomical sunrise. This atmospheric refraction is estimated at about 0.833 degrees.

It's important to note that Muslims should not pray during sunrise. This forbidden period lasts approximately 15-20 minutes after apparent sunrise.

Calculating Fajr and Isha

Calculating Fajr (dawn) and Isha (night) times is the most important debate topic regarding prayer times. These two prayers are linked to astronomical twilight, which is the residual light from the sun below the horizon.

Scholars differ on the angle to use for calculating these prayer times. There are several conventions used in different countries around the world:

• ISNA (North America): Fajr 15°, Isha 15°
• MWL (Muslim World League): Fajr 18°, Isha 17°
• Oum al-Qoura (Saudi Arabia): Fajr 18.5°, Isha 90 minutes after Maghrib
• Egypt : Fajr 19,5°, Isha 17,5°

The choice of method generally depends on the geographical region and recommendations from local religious authorities.

Calculating Asr prayer

The Asr (afternoon) prayer is the third obligatory prayer of the day. Its calculation is based on the shadow length of objects relative to the sun.

There are two legal opinions on how to determine the start of Asr time:

• Majority opinion (Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali schools): Asr begins when the shadow length of an object equals the object's length, plus the shadow length at noon.
• Hanafi opinion : Asr begins when the shadow length of an object equals twice the object's length, plus the shadow length at noon.

In practice, this means Asr time according to the Hanafi school is generally delayed by about 45 minutes to 1 hour compared to the majority opinion.

Calculating Maghrib prayer

Maghrib (sunset) is the fourth prayer of the day and also marks the time for breaking the fast during Ramadan. This prayer begins once the sun has completely moved below the horizon.

Contrary to what one might think, the sun doesn't disappear instantly at the horizon. It takes about 2-3 minutes for the solar disk to pass completely below the horizon line.

For precautionary reasons, some scholars recommend waiting a few extra minutes after the calculated time before starting the prayer or breaking the fast.

Calculating Isha prayer

Isha (night) is the fifth and final obligatory prayer of the day. It begins when the red glow of twilight completely disappears at the western horizon.

Like Fajr, the Isha calculation depends on the angle chosen to define the end of twilight. This angle varies between 12° and 18° depending on the conventions used.

Note that Isha time extends until the middle of the Islamic night (midway between Maghrib and Fajr), although it's recommended to pray it in the first third of the night.

Prayers at high latitudes

At high latitudes (beyond about 48°), twilight can last all night during certain months of the year, especially in summer. Under these conditions, standard astronomical criteria don't allow for correctly calculating Fajr and Isha times.

This phenomenon particularly affects Nordic countries like Sweden, Norway, Finland, but also northern France, Belgium and northern Germany during June and July.

To address this exceptional situation, scholars have proposed several alternatives:

• Midnight method : the period from sunset (Maghrib) to sunrise (Shurouq) is divided into two equal parts. Isha is prayed at the beginning of the night and Fajr at its middle.
• Seventh of the night method : the period between sunset and sunrise is divided into 7 parts. Isha begins after the first seventh and Fajr at the beginning of the last seventh.
• Nearest latitude method : the times from a city at a latitude where calculation is possible (usually 45° or 48°) are used.
• Reduced angles method : a smaller angle (for example 12° instead of 18°) is used to enable calculation.

The choice of method depends on recommendations from local religious authorities. It's advised to check with your mosque to know which method is applied in your region.

Prayer times during Ramadan

During the blessed month of Ramadan, prayer times take on particular importance, even for those who don't pray yet.

• Imsak (Fajr) : this is the time when fasting begins. It's recommended to finish the Suhur meal (pre-dawn meal) before Fajr time begins.
• Iftar (Maghrib) : this is the time for breaking the fast, which corresponds to Maghrib prayer time, just after sunset.

Fasting duration varies according to season and geographical location. In summer, in northern European countries, fasting can last more than 18 hours. To know precisely the prayer times during Ramadan in your city, we offer a complete calendar.