About Umm al-Qura
The Umm al-Qura method is the official prayer time calculation used in Saudi Arabia, maintained by the Umm al-Qura University in Mecca. It uses a Fajr angle of 18.5° and sets Isha at 90 minutes after Maghrib (120 minutes during Ramadan).
The Five Daily Prayers
Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and Isha (night) are the five obligatory daily prayers in Islam. Their times are determined by the position of the sun relative to the horizon.
How Times Are Calculated
Prayer times are computed using the sun's position — its declination and hour angle — relative to the observer's geographic coordinates. Fajr and Isha depend on twilight angles, while Dhuhr is at solar noon and Maghrib at sunset.
Accuracy Note
These calculations are based on standard astronomical formulas. Actual prayer times announced by local mosques may differ by 1-2 minutes due to elevation, atmospheric conditions, and local adjustments. Always verify with your local mosque.
What calculation method is used?
This tool uses the Umm al-Qura method, which is the official method used in Saudi Arabia. Fajr is calculated at 18.5° below the horizon, and Isha is set at 90 minutes after Maghrib.
Why do prayer times change daily?
Prayer times change because the Earth's axis is tilted relative to its orbit around the Sun. This causes the sun's position in the sky to shift throughout the year, resulting in different sunrise and sunset times each day.
Are these times the same as my local mosque?
Times may differ by 1-2 minutes from your local mosque, which may apply additional adjustments for elevation or local conventions. These calculated times are a reliable reference, but always follow your local imam's announcement.
What is the Asr calculation?
This tool uses the Shafi'i method for Asr, where the time begins when an object's shadow equals its length plus the shadow length at noon. This is the standard method used in Saudi Arabia and most of the Muslim world.