Tracing the Shadow: Mathematical Calculation of Prayer Times Using Spherical Trigonometry (original) (raw)
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Iraqi journal of science, 2022
The entry time of the prayer in Islam is a prerequisite condition for performing obligatory prayers, and prayer times to be performed in Islam coincides with the time changes of the position of the sun. The elliptical and equatorial coordinates of the sun were calculated for different latitudes. The prayer times for the city of Baghdad were calculated at (latitude = 33.34º N, longitude = 44.43 E) with high accuracy for the year 2021 AD. The results showed that all prayer times are affected by latitude according to each region except (Dhuhr prayer (, it changes with the change of the equation of time, because the equation of time does not depend on latitude, but rather on the sun's declination, which depends on date. We also made improvements to the accuracy of calculating prayer times, where the disappearance of evening twilight (Isha prayer) was calculated when the sun was below the western horizon at an angle of (17 0) and for)Fajr prayer(at an angle of (18 0) below the eastern horizon. Minutes were added to enable entering the time for)Dhuhr prayer((5 minutes) and)Asr prayer((3 minutes). The results show that the shadow of the meridian varies every day of the year from one point to another on the surface of the globe, so it is non-existent if the sun is perpendicular to the earth at the time of the meridian, and it has a specific length if the latitude of the place exceeds the value (23.5 0) the Tropic of Cancer or the Tropic of Capricorn), and its length increases as we move towards higher latitudes. In addition, the results of our program were compared with the program of the Islamic project for all prayer times for the cities of Baghdad and Mosul for one year, and it showed a good match for the results, with a difference in some times and days of no more than one minute due to the modifications we added to calculate the effect of altitude above sea level. Practical observation was also conducted to check the times of the Dhuhr, Asr and Maghrib prayers for several days during the year 2021 AD, and the results were identical with our theoretical results.
Naked Eye Estimates of Morning Prayer at Tubruq of Libya
Al-Hilal: Journal of Islamic Astronomy
Naked eye observations at Tubruq sky (φ = 32° 05´, λ = 23° 59´) in Libya at the Mediterranean coast (see-desert background) during the two years (2008 – 2009) of morning twilight have been recorded. These observations led us to get some estimates about morning twilight, as it is necessary to determine the time of the True Dawn (Al-Fajr Prayer Time). this research aims to determine the correct time of Al-Fajr Prayer by finding the accurate angle of the sun vertical depression below the horizon that is associated with legitimate mark. The Methode used in this research was field research while the observations have been recorded by monitoring the first white thread on the eastern horizon (True Dawn) that announces the time of the Morning Prayer (Al-Fajr Prayer). The azimuthally range of observation about the solar vertical extends from 0° up to ±20°, while the phenomenon was followed from 0° up to 20° along the altitudinal range. This research gives a result that a beginning of the...
Prayer Times Modeling with GIS: A Case Study for Iran and Its Surrounding
Journal of Computer Science, 2008
Traditionally, the time of prayer was being announced through mosques. Nowadays, there's a special time in cities of Muslim countries, known as prayer times table. Mean while villages lack such division or table, they use the Prayer times of nearby cities. In non-muslim countries, such tables just belong to big cities and other areas have difficulties to find (precise) prayer times. Quantitative computation of Prayer times is dependent on geographical coordinate of that place and space/time position of Sun. Residential areas were determined as polygon and each of them are located in a specific geographical coordinate. It's not possible to use the Prayer time of one point for another point far from that. In this research, the area was divided into pixels of 1000*1000 m and Prayer time was calculated with astronomical relations. The accuracy of this study had been compared to those were presented by calendar center of geophysics institute (University of Tehran) and had perfect accuracy. Prayer time was calculated for each pixel of the studying area by GIS. Results of this research showed the necessity of GIS in determining Prayer times and led to more accuracy of calculations.
This research addresses the correlation between the architectural design of the Mihrab dome at Cor-doba's Great Mosque and the determination of daytime Islamic prayer times in the Umayyad period. The dome was built in the 10th century during the rule of Caliph Al-Hakam II 'Al-Mustansir Billah', who was known for his interest in sciences, specifically in the field of astronomy. The vast development of astronomical sciences during the Umayyad Caliphate, alongside the engineering sciences, helped in building the dome. This research provides an architectural analysis of the dome of the Great Mosque, the surrounding internal spaces and the interior design of the mosque. The research also provides a solar analysis around the dome supported by multiple field visits to the mosque to determine the relationship between sunlight and the mosque and how this relationship resulted in determining prayer times. To prove the correlation, a simulation analysis was applied using Autodesk software and Photoshop. Additionally , the sun path diagram was used to develop a concept from an engineering perspective. The analysis has shown that at the time of Dhuhr prayer (at noon), the window facing the sun reflects a beam of light that passes through the arches nearby the dome and illuminates the crown of a specific column inside the mosque, thereby announcing the prayer time. 1 INTRODUCTION Islamic architecture also involved the surrounding environment; for instance, a relationship between the building and the sun was established, and buildings were designed to follow this relationship. The external environment was a source for their architectural innovation, which involved the improvisations of courtyards and the wind catcher (Malqaf) as well as other elements developed by Muslim architects according to their beliefs. Muslim architects utilized various scientific theories in their pursuit of structural design, including mathematics, physics and astronomy. Since Muslims in general associate with certain times and locations, they paid attention to timing for three key purposes: calculating prayer times, determining the direction of Ka'ba (qibla) and knowing the first month of the Islamic lunar year. This quest for time does not have a specific history but appeared particularly in the Al-Andalus area since the emergence of Islam, and mo'athins (prayer callers) were tasked with determining prayer times [1]. Muslims also made innovative clocks that worked with water, sand, mercury, wax and various other weights, in addition to inventing the solar clock in a circular shape with a central axis. With the solar clock, they were able to find the position of the sun and hence were able to develop annual calendars. The solar clock specifically represented a key feature of various religious buildings.
Astronomical Determinations for the Beginning Prayer Time of Isha
2012
2 Abstract: According to fiqh, muslim prayer time of Isha' begins when shafaq ýphenomenon disappears at dusk. This research implements astronomical determinations to study the phenomenon and result the empirical descriptions. The observation was conducted at Tanjung Aru, Sabah, East Malaysia. Based on suitability, the disappearance of shafaq al-abyad is applied for Malaysia locality condition. The research has employed SQM- LE meter to col lect sky brightness data. According to the results, the sky brightness magnitude for the disappearance of shafaq al-abyad is obtained averagely at 20.79 ± 0.36 mag/arcsec with mean solar depression 2 angle at 107.99° ± 0.16°. The results are considered to be still consistent with the theoretical value of 108° which marks the beginning of night time and the disappearance of daylight.
In this paper, the determination of Islamic prayer time using scientific method has been extensively investigated. We focused on optical sky brightness at dusk from May 2007 through April 2008 intermittently. The measurements of twilight sky brightness were covered at two (2) different sites covering East and West coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Based on Islamic law code's requirement, the measurements were done using human eye and electronic device (Sky Quality Meter) as the detectors which is Sunnah (qualitative) and scientific (quantitative) approaches respectively. Results showed that there are clear indications of changes of the receipt of light when Sun at certain degree below horizon that manifest itself by plateau form in twilight sky brightness dependences versus solar zenith angle. Interestingly, statistical analysis is also showed 1-2 minutes of differences compare with theoretical calculation of each data. It is also clarified that the yearly averages of solar depression by observation are best correlated within the range of 17.3 o -19.5 o for Isha'.
Astronomical Improve Model of Prayer Timing with Error Analysis
Islam is a religion that teaches us the several ways to praise the uncountable kindness of Allah Almighty offering Salaat (Prayer) on time is one of them. The knowledge of starting and ending times have the fundamentals importance to the Muslims, As it is farz (obligatory) for Muslims to offer five times Salaat a day which are Fajr, Zuhar, Aser, Maghrib and Esha. In this research, the astronomical improve mathematical models of Salaat timing are developed in line with the major school of thought of Islamic jurisprudence. The tracking of a true Sun, for calculating the hour angles on elliptic at five different places and developing the models of Zuhar and Aser Salaat timing according to Shafi and Hanfi school of thought are the key objectives of this research. There are various astronomical measures like Astronomical Islamic twilight (AIT), Depression angle, Declination of sun and Equation of time are used in this study to construct the models. Finally, validation of model with avail...
Indonesian Review of Physics, 2021
Measuring the brightness of the night sky and determining the start of Fajr prayer times can be done using SQM. Observations were made at OIF UMSU with coordinates 3o 34' 55.06" N and 98o 43' 17.09" E. The sky brightness was measured using three SQMs mounted facing the zenith, eastern horizon, and western horizon. The night sky brightness values for SQM directed to the zenith, eastern horizon, and western horizon are 18.23 mpsas, 15.82 mpsas, and 15.47 mpsas. The beginning of fajr prayer time produced by SQM is after the beginning of fajr prayer time obtained using the Accurate Times concerning the Sun's altitude 18o below the horizon. The difference obtained by SQM directed to the zenith, eastern horizon, and western horizon is 29.5 minutes, 36.7 minutes, and 39.5 minutes. In other words, the beginning of Fajr prayer time used in Indonesia is earlier than it should be.
The astronomical orientation of the historical Grand mosques in Anatolia (Turkey)
Archive for History of Exact Sciences, 2018
In the ancient civilizations, the sky has been observed in order to understand the motions of the celestial bodies above the horizon. The study of faiths and practices dealing with the sky in the past has been attributed to the sun, the moon, and the prominent stars. The alignment and orientation of constructions to significant celestial objects were a common practice. The orientation was an important component of the religious structure design. Religious buildings often have an intentional orientation to fix the praying direction. In Islam, a sacred direction (Qibla) towards Kaaba located in the courtyard in the Sacred Mosque in Mecca has been used for praying and fulfilling varied ritual tasks. Therefore, the mosques had then to orientate towards the Qibla direction, being designated by a focal niche in the Qibla-wall, wherever they were built on Earth. In this study, the orientations of the historical Grand mosques in Turkey are surveyed with regard to the folk astronomy derived from pre-Islamic Arabian sources, early traditions of the Islamic period, and geometric-trigonometric computation in mathematical astronomy inherited and developed mostly from Greek sources according to the Islamic view of the World geography. Coordination Department (Project No: 13.HIZ.DES.43). The authors are grateful to numerous graduate students of Geomatics Engineering of Afyon Kocatepe University for their support of the GNSS measurements in order to determine the Grand mosque orientations.