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To further research the topic visit the following pages;
The Correct Time for Fajr & Fasting in Europe [New video 2017]
The Correct Time to Start Your Fast
Summarising 18 Degree Prayer Timetable
Imāms and Masjid committees must inform their congregations of the 18 degrees prayer timing
Explanation of Timetable controversy [Video]
UK and Europe Prayer & Fasting Explanation
Summer ‘Ishā & Fajr Prayer Times
Is it possible that the twilight disappears after the middle of the night ?
For example, if Maghrib starts at around 9:00pm, fajr around 2:00am, but calculation (using 18°) or observation shows that the twilight disappears at 12:00am, then isha starts after the middle of the night!
Assalam alaykum,
The issue here is not who is right but who is responsible of dividing the community and creating an immense confusion among the Muslims. What kind of unity are our scholars showing the common Muslims if they can’t even agree on the time to start the fast! Even if there is a difference of opinion, the scholars should be more concerned about the unity of the ummah than proving their point. Allah will reward the scholar even if he makes a mistake so whatever time the ummah follow Allah will accept it in shape Allah. So why are you making Islam so difficult for us!! I really wonder if Allah is happy with those divisions…
Is it not possible that 18 degrees applies to certain countries, and not others? You’ve mentioned that many previous scholars have mentioned 18 degrees, but which country were they in? Where did they experience 18 degrees? My reason for the question is that I travel a lot in the UK. Especially at night, and I have travelled on many country roads, with minimal or no light pollution, and I see that if the 18 degrees time is applied, the light does not spread for a long time in the sky (which should occur after Subah Sadiq), but if the 15 degree or less time is adopted, the light does spread soon after that time.
So is it not possible that 18 degrees applies to many countries, but not the UK?
Assalamualaikum,
I pray that you’re well.
Dear Sheikh I was wondering if you had had a look at the OpenFajr Project (http://openfajr.org)? To summarise – the project involved the use of an all-night camera designed for astrophysics research with a ‘”CCD detector” mounted at a site in Birmingham UK. The camera took photos every minute to determine the time for true dawn throughout the year. Furthermore they assembled a specialist panel, comprising of religious scholars, academics etc, who voted for the image they perceived to correspond most closely with the time of fajr. The results were analysed to produce an annual timetable.” Birmingham Central Mosque has adopted this new timetable. All the data and photographs are available online on the aforementioned website. Additionally a research paper is available here: http://openfajr.org/docs/research_paper.pdf
This project corroborates my own findings around Birmingham and those of some other brothers. 18 degrees (1:20am for fajr or thereabouts) just seems to early too early for true dawn according to what we have seen. I think the brothers at OpenFajr have done a lot of meticulous work and have a I feel it would be difficult to easily ignore their research. Would the brothers at MRDF consider mounting their own camera?!
As Muslims we all want to pray Fajr and close our fasts at the legislated time. I’d value your comments greatly on this matter based on the above research. May Allah reward you and help us all to worship Allah in the manner most befitting to him.
Assalamoaleikum
What shall I do if the rest of my family follows a different timetable to the 18 degree one.