Why is there a difference in the starting times for fasting?

The time for Fajr prayer is from the first light of true dawn (Subh Sadiq) until the sun rises. Fasting starts from the start of Fajr time, i.e when the first light of true dawn appears. This means that it is from the time that the first rays of light from the sun appear in the horizon. Currently there is a difference amongst various organisations as to when this occurs. How did the Muslims calculate this historically? Muslims would witness the time and make a judgement in the earlier days. About a thousand years ago, Muslims scientists like Al Biruni and Ibn Al Haytham calculated that the time at which the first rays of light are visible is when the sun is about 18 degrees below the horizon. Therefore for the last thousand years, the prayer times have been calculated from the time using the formula of 18 degrees. Has there always been a difference? No, the difference has arisen because of the global geographical location of the United Kingdom within the Northern hemisphere of the Earth. This has caused some people to question whether the formula for 18 degrees is applicable to global places such as the United Kingdom Has technology made this issue easier to solve? Technology gave us the formula of 18 degrees, but that formula is based upon actual observations. The only advantage technologically is the ability to use optical aids, and to avoid light pollution and establish the correct times. How were the new times derived? The new timings that many organisations have adopted are based upon either the adjustment of the angle to 15 degrees, or the actual witnessing by individuals and scholars from Blackburn . Is there a problem with the new timings? Quite simply put, there does not seem to be any justification to change the angle to 15 degrees. Also, the times that were based upon sightings in Blackburn have been questioned regarding their reliability. Less than thirty sightings were reportedly made, and the area is subject to light pollution. Furthermore, additional observations made nearer to London , without light pollution have indicated that 18 degrees is indeed the correct formula. Therefore there seems to be little evidence to change. Some have also argued that due to the hardship of the longer day, short timings should be accepted. However, fasting is for Allah, and is done according to Allahs instructions. We have not been given the option to change the times for Fajr in order to make things convenient. Does it make a difference which times I follow? It can make a great difference, in that potentially, the fasting may not be accepted by Allah. Imagine if a person fasts for the whole day, but eats an hour before time because he thought the fast was too long. Can the fast be regarded as valid?

Likewise, someone who is eating in the morning when the fast has already started would have invalidated his fast. Why has our Mosque and Centre adopted this particular timetable? Central Mosque Northampton has always based the prayer times upon the calculation of 18 degrees which is available from the Royal National Observatory. This has been the practice of many Masaajid including Regents Park Mosque historically. However, last year, Regents Park Mosque provisionally adopted the newer timetable. The management and Imams have been actively engaged in discussions relating to this issue, but do not feel there is sufficient evidence to alter the universally and historically accepted times. Which times should I follow? In Islam we have a principle which advises us to err on the side of caution. Thus it is better to be safe than sorry. We would strongly advise all Muslims to remember their duty to Allah and follow the command of Allah diligently. We would therefore recommend following the times adopted by Central Mosque Northampton. And Allah know best.

Fatawas: Beginning of Fajr Time By Mufti Taqi Usmani 1422, 20 MAY 2001

26 SAFAR

Q.) Living here in the Washington DC, USA I would like to know if we should perform Fajr and Isha at 15 degrees or 18 degrees? Below is an excerpt from Khalid Shaukat's website. He is an expert in Astronomy here in the USA and holds the opinion that we should use 15 degrees. I have also asked other Islamic Astronomers and they say that 18 degrees is the more safer of the two. Please spread some light in this issue. The website is www.moonsighting.com. It contains the following statement: "Fajr & Isha are calculated for Sun being 15 degrees below horizon, a value adopted by ISNA, which is based on sound principles of Qur'an and Sunnah, as applied in the light of modern scientific calculations." [Adil Khan] A.) After a good deal of research and continuing observation my father Mufti Muhammad Shafi (R) as well as other 99% of the Ulama in Pakistan and India are unanimous on the point that the time of Isha and Fajr begins when the Sun is 18 degree below the horizon. This basis has been confirmed by scientific as well as religious research carried by a large number of scholars in both fields. by Mufti Ebrahim Desai Q.) What is the time of Fajr in North America? Is it when the sun is 15 degrees or 18 degrees below the horizon? A.) A depression angle of the sun of 15 degrees for the start of Fajr should be used with extreme caution. It is much safer to stick to 18 degrees. It is only if local observations in a place have shown that the is no morning twilight visible in a particular place until the sun depression angle is 15 degrees or less (throughout the year) that 15 degrees may be used. If this is not the case, then 18 degrees should be used. http://www.wifaqululama.co.uk/18-degree-articles-fatwa/225-mufti-taqiuthmanis-and-mufti-ibrahim-desais-fatwa-on-18-degrees.html

Further info can be found here with historical references: http://www.hendonmosque.co.uk/prayers/fasting.php#MTU Convention Fajr Angle Isha Angle University of Islamic Sciences, Karachi: 18 Islamic Society of North America (ISNA): 15* Muslim World League (MWL ): 18 Umm al-Qura, Makkah: 19* Egyptian General Authority: 19.5* * I could not verify it myself through their literature; however this is what is widely attributed to them.