Timetable for prayer and fasting in abnormal zones
Prayer and fast is practiced according to specific times relating to normal zones that encompass both
equatorial and tropical areas. Such times are impractically useless in areas which lie far from the
equator. By the north or south poles the sun shines continuously for six months before setting.
Sunset then ensues for the other six months. Consequently, the Muslim cannot set prayer times or
fasting times. A fatwa is therefore necessary to disband confusion amongst Muslims, and to
determine times for prayers, abstention and fasting.
This fatwa takes in consideration the geographical singularity of countries that lie near the two poles.
In his book “Introduction to Islam, p.204” Dr. Muhammad Hamidullah says: “The jurists have,
therefore, recommended that one should follow there the movement of the clock, and not those of
the sun…. Basing themselves on this direction of the Prophet, the assemblies of Muslum ulema have
commanded to follow in such condition the movement of the clock and not of the sun; and to
facilitate the task, they command to follow the times obtaining on 45° for countries lying between
this point and the pole”.
On the basis of this, Muslim scholars agree that the demarcation line between normal and abnormal
geographical zones lies at 45 degrees latitude north and south, and thus have given a fatwa allowing
to observe the time set for 45 degrees latitude instead of times determined by the sun.
Dr. M. Hamidullah himself also gave a fatwa allowing to make use the times set for 45 degrees
latitudes north/south in prayer table-format which this app is based on, followed by a committee
consisting of mufti sheikh Mohammed Nizam Tahboub (previous mufti in Hebron/Palestine), Sheikj
Imran Mousa Shabaneh and sheikh Hamdi Zghayyar (judge and imam of the Ibrahimi Mosque in
Hebron/Palestine). Furthermore, Prof.dr. sheikh Hussam Eddin Afaneh (University of Jerusalem/
Palestine) gave his fatwa (orally) allowing the use of the prayer table this app is based on.
The purpose of these efforts is to ease hardship and suffering of Muslims in these parts, and to make
the practicing of faith more bearable upon them. In fact, easing of hardship is “the spirit of the
Sharia. It builds on the consideration of the weaknesses of humans, humans’ burdens and troubles
and the hustle and bustle of life… the Quran describes Sharia as easy, barring it of being a hardship or
burden, but confirms its easing and flexibility” (dr. Y. Qaradawi).
It is written in the Quran that: “Allah intends ease for you, not hardship” (ch. 2:185). The Prophet
(PBUH) instructs us and so said: “make it easy and not difficult…” (Bukhari & Muslim), he also said:
“you are sent to be facilitators (to ease), not to incur difficulties” (Bukhari). Lastly: all praise is to
Allah, Lord of the worlds.
This timetable app:
Is made especially for all the world’s geographical zones that lie within 45 degrees latitudes north.
Trilingual. Choose either English, Arabic or Norwegian.
It is dual and can be used in all normal geographic zones (equator - 45 degrees latitude north)
according to applicable local times.
This timetable-app is based on the clock and not the sun in the abnormal zones. The times for the
sunrise and the sunset are those applicable at 45 degrees latitude, which is the dividing line between
normal and abnormal zones.
There are several fatwas that allows the use of this timetable.
There is no need to adjust the times during daylight saving time, the app does this automatically.
Abstention time for the whole year is included in the app. An alarm can be set if needed.
Sunrise is also included.
The app includes a compass to establish the direction of the Qiblah.