How to determine Salah times in extreme latitude
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Answer
With regards to your question it will be necessary to estimate the five daily prayers within the 24 hour time according to when Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Ishaa normally take place.
This can be deduced from the following hadith, when the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam was asked “How long would the (Dajjal) live on Earth?” He replied “40 days, a day being equal to a year and a day being equal to a month and a day being equal to a week, and its all other days would be like your days.” We then asked “Will the prayer (prescribed during) a day suffice us for that day which would be equal to a year?” He said, “Make an assessment of it.” (Sunan Ibn Majah p.297 v.2)
Furthermore, the jurists have mentioned four methods in estimating the time of Fajr and Ishaa in countries located in extreme latitudes.
- Aqrabul Ayyum: The time Subhe Sadiq was on the last day before Ishaa time failed to appear. For example, in Britain from the 16th of May (where there is no Islamic nightfall), the time Subhe Sadiq was on the 15thof May there will be the time one will perform his Fajr salah.
- Nisful Layl: The time between sunrise and sunset will be split into two parts. The last portion will be considered as Subhe Sadiq thus Fajr salah will begin.
- Aqrabul Bilal: The country most nearest to where the time for Ishaa is set according to their time.
- Subul Layl: The time between sunset and sunrise is divided into seven parts. The first six parts are considered to be the night in which you may perform Ishaa prayer and the final part the beginning of Fajr prayer. (Raddul Muhtar p.19 v.2 & Subhe Sadiq ur Shafq Ke Tahqiq p.46-p.48)
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
