⏰ Instant Prayer Times 2026
Never Miss Salah Wherever You Are

🕌 Understanding Islamic Prayer Times: A Complete Guide

Islamic prayer times, also known as Salat or Namaz, are determined by the position of the sun throughout the day. Muslims are required to perform five obligatory prayers at specific times, which change daily based on your geographical location and the solar calendar. Our platform provides accurate, real-time prayer times using internationally recognized calculation methods to help Muslims fulfill this fundamental pillar of Islam.

The Five Daily Prayers Explained

Additional Important Times

Sunrise: While not a prayer time itself, sunrise marks the end of Fajr prayer time and the beginning of the prohibited time for voluntary prayers. This period lasts approximately 15-20 minutes.

Sunset: Similar to sunrise, sunset marks the transition from Asr to Maghrib and represents another brief prohibited time for voluntary prayers.

📐 Prayer Time Calculation Methods: What Makes Them Different?

The timing of Fajr and Isha prayers varies based on the angle of the sun below the horizon. Different Islamic authorities use different angles based on geographical observations and scholarly interpretations. Understanding these methods helps you choose the most accurate times for your location.

Why Do These Differences Matter?

The variation in calculation methods can result in prayer time differences of 10-30 minutes, particularly for Fajr and Isha. These differences arise from:

• Geographical factors: Latitude affects twilight duration - locations farther from the equator experience longer twilight periods
• Atmospheric conditions: Air quality, pollution, and humidity affect how sunlight scatters in the atmosphere
• Scholarly interpretations: Different schools of thought define "true dawn" and "nightfall" with varying levels of conservatism
• Historical observations: Methods are based on centuries of astronomical observations in specific regions

Choosing the Right Method for Your Location

Our platform automatically selects the most widely accepted calculation method for your country based on what local mosques and Islamic authorities use. However, you can manually select a different method if:

1. Your local mosque follows a specific calculation standard
2. You're following a particular school of Islamic jurisprudence (madhab)
3. You're traveling and want to maintain consistency with your home location
4. You prefer more conservative (earlier Fajr, later Isha) or lenient timings

🚀 How to Use PrayerTimeNow: Step-by-Step Guide

Method 1: Automatic Location Detection

1. Click the "Detect My Location" button: This uses your browser's geolocation API to pinpoint your exact coordinates
2. Grant location permission: Your browser will ask for permission - this is secure and your location is never stored on our servers
3. View instant results: Within 2-3 seconds, you'll see accurate prayer times for your current location
4. Automatic caching: Your location is saved in your browser for 24 hours, so returning visits load instantly

Method 2: Manual City Search

1. Type your city name: Start typing in the search box (e.g., "London", "Dubai", "Karachi")
2. Select from suggestions: Choose your specific city from the dropdown menu
3. Verify your selection: Confirm the country and region match your location
4. View prayer times: Your complete schedule appears instantly with all relevant Islamic timings

Advanced Features You Can Use

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Prayer Times

Why do prayer times change every day?

Prayer times are directly linked to the sun's position relative to Earth. As Earth orbits the sun and rotates on its tilted axis, the sun's position in the sky changes daily. This means sunrise, sunset, and solar noon occur at slightly different times each day. The difference is more noticeable during equinoxes and solstices. Near the equator, changes are minimal (1-2 minutes per day), while at higher latitudes, the variation can be several minutes daily.

What should I do if I miss a prayer time?

If you miss a prayer (Qada), you should perform it as soon as you remember, even if the time for the next prayer has begun. The missed prayer should be prayed before the current prayer according to most scholars. It's important to make sincere Tawbah (repentance) and establish better habits to prevent missing prayers. Setting multiple alarms, using prayer time apps with notifications, and coordinating with family members can help maintain consistency.

Can I pray before the exact prayer time begins?

No, each prayer must be performed within its designated time window. Praying before the time begins invalidates the prayer according to all schools of Islamic jurisprudence. However, you can pray at the very beginning of the time window. For example, Maghrib can be prayed immediately when the sun sets. It's recommended to pray early within the time rather than delaying unnecessarily.

How accurate are online prayer time calculators?

Modern prayer time calculators are extremely accurate, typically within 1-2 minutes of astronomical calculations. Our platform uses the same algorithms employed by major Islamic organizations worldwide, incorporating your exact GPS coordinates, elevation, and the selected calculation method. However, local mosques might adjust times slightly (±2-5 minutes) based on community needs, visibility conditions, or to provide a safety margin. We recommend following your local mosque's Adhan if you attend congregational prayers.

Why are prayer times different in different mosques in the same city?

Variations between mosques in the same city occur due to several factors: different calculation methods being used, safety margins added for precaution (especially for Fajr), differences in elevation if the city has significant topography, and community preferences. Some mosques round times to the nearest 5 or 10 minutes for consistency. These differences are usually minor (3-7 minutes) and are within acceptable scholarly limits.

What are the prohibited times for voluntary prayers?

There are three main prohibited times when voluntary (Nafl) prayers should not be performed: 1) From sunrise until the sun has risen approximately 15-20 minutes (spear's length above horizon), 2) When the sun is at its zenith (exact noon) until it begins to decline, lasting about 5-10 minutes, and 3) From when the sun turns yellowish before Maghrib until after sunset. Obligatory prayers (Fard) that are being made up (Qada) can be performed at any time according to most scholars.

How do I find accurate prayer times when traveling?

When traveling, always use your current physical location to determine prayer times, not your home location. Our automatic location detection makes this easy - simply allow location access wherever you are. If traveling by plane across time zones, reset your prayer schedule once you land. During extremely long flights, scholars suggest following the departure city's times or the mid-flight location. For travel to extreme latitudes (near polar regions) where normal prayer times don't apply, consult with local Islamic authorities who often use the nearest city with normal times.

What should I do during daylight saving time changes?

Islamic prayer times are based on solar position, not clock time. When daylight saving time begins or ends, prayer times on the clock shift by one hour, but the actual solar times remain unchanged. Our calculator automatically adjusts for DST based on your location. You don't need to do anything manually - just ensure your device's clock is set to automatically update for time zone changes.

🌍 Our Global Coverage: 21 Countries & 500+ Cities

PrayerTimeNow serves Muslim communities across six continents with precision-calculated prayer times tailored to local conditions. Each region uses calculation methods verified by local Islamic authorities and astronomical observations.

Why Location-Specific Calculations Matter

A common misconception is that prayer times can be standardized across large regions. In reality, even cities 100 kilometers apart can have prayer time differences of 4-6 minutes. Our system accounts for:

• Latitude and longitude: Your exact position affects when the sun reaches specific angles
• Elevation above sea level: Higher elevations see sunrise earlier and sunset later
• Time zone boundaries: Cities on opposite edges of a time zone can differ significantly
• Local horizon obstructions: Mountains and tall buildings can affect visible sunrise and sunset

Regional Calculation Standards

Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman): We use the Umm al-Qura method for Saudi Arabia and MWL with regional adjustments for Gulf countries. These regions have the most straightforward calculations due to their proximity to Makkah and location near the Tropic of Cancer.

South Asia (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh): The University of Islamic Sciences, Karachi method is standard here. These regions experience moderate seasonal variation in prayer times, with daylight hours ranging from 10-14 hours annually.

Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore): The Egyptian General Authority method is widely used. Being near the equator, these countries have minimal daily variation in prayer times (typically 1-2 minutes per day) and consistent daylight hours year-round (approximately 12 hours).

Europe & North America (UK, USA, Canada): ISNA and MWL methods are common. These high-latitude regions face unique challenges during summer months when twilight persists all night in extreme northern areas. Special considerations apply above 48° latitude.

North Africa & Turkey (Egypt, Morocco, Turkey): Turkish Diyanet and Egyptian methods are standard. These regions have moderate latitude variations and well-established astronomical traditions.

Other Regions (Nigeria, Russia): We adapt methods based on the closest Islamic authority standards and local mosque practices.