This app will show you the timetable of your local masjid.
We're not talking about the normal general times you find for an area, which you then have to adjust for various factors. Instead, we are displaying the actual timetable from your very own local masjid.
Before using the app for the first time, make sure you select your local masjid from the list on the "Select Masjid" page. You can select 2 masjids. Use one as primary and another as secondary.
Once set, you will be able to view the current day's time on the main screen (Timetable page).
From that page, you can also swipe left/right to view the whole months timetable for either the primary masjid or the secondary masjid.
Swipe left (screen moves to the right) for primary masjid view and swipe right for secondary masjid view.
If your masjid is not listed, then do yourself and your entire community a favour by approaching the masjid committee and talking to them about uploading the local masjid timetable (in excel format) to the Lentrica Software website.
If the masjid already has a timetable prepared in Microsoft Excel format, then the process is very easy.
Copy the times from that excel sheet and paste it onto our own excel template. Once that's done, simply upload it to our site and the timetable will be available to your whole community. Your effort in this regard will gain you rewards on behalf for the entire community Inshallah.
You can download our own excel template, fill it in, and then upload it back to our site all from one location:
http://www.lentricasoftware.com/masjid
So if you have access to your local masjid's timetable, copy the data and paste it onto our pre-made template at the site shown above.
Inshallah, if everyone makes this effort, all worshippers across the world can benefit from this app.
In the UK, there is a discussion going on throughout the country on the timings of Fajar and Esha.
The main controversy revolves around whether Fajar starts at 18 degrees below the horizon or 12 degrees.
Similarly, does Esha start when the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon or 12 degrees?
Why is this so important?
Well, if you were to read Esha earlier, thinking that the time has started, then you would be reading it out of the correct time. Would it be accepted if you were negligient?
Similarly, if you were to keep eating (for fasts) until the time you think Subah Sadiq starts, you may have just eaten well into the Subah Sadiq time (after Fajar starts).
So it is extremely important that each and every individual equips himself with this knowledge so that he can take caution when fasting and praying.
It is not enough to leave the matter up to the local masjid and blame them if the timings are wrong. We as muslims, have to (it's mandatory) to learn about the aspects of deen which are compulsory upon us, like salaah, sawm, wudhu etc..
So what is the problem within the UK?
There is one small group of Ulama (who call themselves Hizb-ul-ulama) who have come out with a timetable, where the Fajar and Esha times are close to 12 degrees.
This timetable is in direct conflict with what the ulama from the rest of the world say regarding the salaah timings.
The majority of ulama across the world give rulings that Esha and Subah Sadiq time starts when the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon.
There is some leeway to following a 15 degree timetable but that is a minority view and can be difficult to follow.
However, a majority of masjids across the UK are still following the Hizb-ul-ulama timetable due to the reach of this group.
If the errors were known to these masaajid regarding the timetable, there could be a change. Having said that, masaajids are run by committee members and not ulama. Sadly, in this day and age, ulama are being overruled by committee members in many masaajid across the country.
This is indeed a sad state of affairs because Ilm and Islam has been passed down through the generations via the ulama, not committee members.
When we need guidance, we turn to ulama, not committee members.
First of all, one should be aware that once a person is conscious of the truth then he must not hide it for fear of backlash from the community or anyone else.
Suppression of the truth was the reason behind the destruction of many nations before us. The Holy Qur’aan warns of hiding or withholding the truth:
“Who can be more unjust than the one who conceals the testimony he has from Allah?” (2:140)
In the Hadith a very clear warning can be found:
"Those who conceal something (a religious truth) that they know when asked about it will have a bridle of fire put on them on the Day of Resurrection." (Abu Dawood/ Tirmidhi).
In light of the above verses and the Hadith one can understand the consequences of suppressing the truth.
My respected brothers and sisters, the truth has to be told and people must be guided on the correct method, whether it pleases or displeases someone.
Below, we will discuss some FAQ’s on this issue:
Question:
It is common belief that we should follow our local Masaajid or Marakiz. Is this way of thinking correct?
Answer:
No, it is not correct. There are only four forms of evidences accepted by our Holy Shariah:
The Holy Qur’aan 2) Ahadith 3) Ijmaa-e-Ummat 4) Qiyaas
Masaajid are not part of these FOUR principles. We need to follow what is right in light of the four principles.
Question:
The majority of the Masaajid are following the Hizb-ul-Ulama ‘Mushahadah’ timetable, so why should we follow a different time?
Answer:
We will discuss the Mushahadah timetable later on, but first, Our Holy Shariah has not deemed the minority or the majority as a criterion for determining truth or falsehood. Rather if one looks at the Qur’aan and Hadith one will clearly see that on many occasions it is the minority that are on the correct path.
Here are some examples of each:
The Holy Qur’aan states:
“But few (Qaleelum) of my slaves are grateful.” (Surah 34 Verse 13)
“And many of them were ‘Fasiqun’.” (Katheerum) (Surah 57 Verse 16)
A Hadith of Prophet (sallahu alayhi wassallam) states:
“There will always be a ‘Taa’ifah’ (group) from my Ummah that will be helped on the truth, their enemies will not be able to harm them, until the order of Allah arrives, (meaning Qiyamah).” Sahih Bukhari/Muslim.
Those familiar with the Arabic language are aware that ‘Taa’ifah’ means a small group. Therefore, this Hadith clarifies that a minority group, even if it is one individual, can be on the path of truth, even if the whole world is opposed to him/them.
Through the Qur’aanic verses and the Hadith one can conclude that the self made criterion that, ‘the majority is Haq, whereas the minority is wrong and Baatil’, is indeed false and incorrect.
Question:
Why can’t we follow the Hizb ul Ulama ‘Mushahadah’ timetable like the rest, so our Suhoor can also be one hour later?
Answer:
It is not correct to follow that time for many reasons. Here is an explanation:
The Holy Qur’aan has declared the time of Subh Sadiq thus:
"Eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread". (Al Baqarah 2:187)
The time for Subh Sadiq is at the crack of dawn or the first speck of light on the eastern horizon, after which darkness ends and the light of morning spreads. The majority of the Fuqaha/Jurists have preferred the crack of dawn to be the time of Subh Sadiq. The fatwa given in the Hanafi Madhab is also on this opinion. (Fataawa Shaami 1:357)
All the scholars of the past and present have practiced this opinion.
The Hizb ul Ulama timetable, in which Suhoor ends one hour after the crack of dawn, is claimed to be based on the time when the light of Subh Sadiq spreads and covers the horizon. This is known as ‘Tabyeen’.
Acting upon Tabyeen is bad enough as it is against caution. In matters of obligatory Ibaadat, caution is of great importance.
Further, we use the word ‘claimed’ as in reality there are many problems attached with the so called ‘Mushahadah’;
Mushahadah means ‘visual observation’.
People have been led to believe that the Hizb-ul-Ulama times have been set after a year long observation of Subh Sadiq. This is far from the truth. According to their own writings only fifty days of observation were carried out and out of fifty, only ELEVEN days are recorded. There were NO observations for the months of January, April and July.
Can a timetable in which 315 days of observation, including THREE whole months were missed out, be deemed a timetable of Mushahadah?
How and according to what criteria were the other Subh Sadiq times fixed?
No satisfactory, Shariah compliant, explanation has been provided by Hizb-ul-Ulama on this issue to date.
Another problem with the Hizb-ul-Ulama times are that they themselves are not following their own observed times! As mentioned earlier, only 11 observations are recorded. Out of the 11 observations, the observations carried out on May 15th, May 21st, May 25th , 6th June, 13th June, 7th August and 16th August DO NOT match the times they have given to the Masaajid to announce.
If the Hizb ul Ulama do not have confidence in their own observations, how can they expect the learned Ulama to go against the Subh Sadiq times agreed upon and observed by the majority of Ulama and astronomers throughout the centuries?
The conclusion is that we are not following the claimed Hizb ul Ulama ‘Mushahadah’ timetable because:
A) It contradicts its own observations.
B) There were no observations made throughout the majority of the year.
C) The times have been set according to a formula not acceptable in our Holy Shariah.
D) The observations of Blackburn, Lancashire cannot be used to fix the Subh Sadiq times throughout the UK.
Chief Justice Hadhrat Mufti Taqi Uthmani Saheb DB was sent this Hizb-ul-Ulama ‘Mushahadah’ timetable for approval/endorsement:
He replied with these 4 points:
1. Shafaq e Abyadh occurs when the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon as does Subh Sadiq. This is the opinion of (Quote) the majority of Ulama and those acquainted with the knowledge of astronomy. There are some who hold the opinion that Shafaq e Abyadh occurs when the Sun is 15 degrees below the horizon.
2. The Mushahadah times you have sent are even BEFORE the time of 15 degrees.
Hence (quote) THIS CAN NEVER BE CORRECT.
Subh Sadiq occurs before your Mushahadah times.
3. An explanation is given as to why this mistake has occurred in the Mushahadah (visual observations). (Quote) “The changing of seasons, not having the experience of doing Mushahadah and not having the full knowledge of Subh Sadiq has led to this mistake.
Hence PREPARE A TIMETABLE ACCORDING TO 18 Degrees and follow that”.
4. “Yes, it is correct that the time span between Subh Sadiq and Sunrise is the same as the time span between sunset and Shafaq e Abyadh.”
Question:
So what about the 18 degree timetable? Where did you get that from and what makes it correct?
Answer:
The Subh Sadiq time adopted by Masaajid following the 18 degree angle is based on research over hundreds of years.
First of all, we'll quote Allamah Shaami RA, the authority in the field of Fatawa whom every Mufti refers to and quotes to authenticate their Fataawa.
He has advocated 18 degrees to 19 Degrees as the time of Subh Sadiq (see Radd ul Mukhtaar, Vol 2, Pg 93).
Various institutes that are referred to for Fajr and Esha times (currently in use in many countries) consider 18 degrees as the minimum degree for calculating Fajr time. For example, Muslim World League (MWL), Umm al-Qura, Makkah, and the University of Islamic Sciences, Karachi.
The present day timetable of Darul Uloom Deoband is based on 18 degrees. It is a known fact that the majority of the Muslim World have based their Subh Sadiq times on 18 Degrees.
Apart from this, great scholars such as the likes of:
Sheikh ul Hind, Hadhrat Maulana Mufti Mahmud ul Hasan Saheb RA,
Hadhrat Maulana Khalil Ahmad Saharanpuri Saheb RA,
Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Saheb RA,
Allamah Yusuf Binnori RA and many other renowned Ulama have endorsed the Subh Sadiq time based on the sun being 18 degrees below the horizon.
The fatwa above shows that one of the most authentic authorities of this era, Hadhrat Mufti Taqi Uthmani Saheb DB, is also of this view.
In a meeting of many ulama in 1983, a unanimous decision was reached in a gathering headed by the late Mufti e Aazam Hind Hadhrat Mufti Mahmood ul Hasan Saheb Gangohi RA that Shafaq e Abyadh occurs when the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon, as does Subh Sadiq.
This agreement was countersigned by the late Hadhrat Mufti Maqbool Ahmad Saheb of Glasgow, who was one of the most senior Muftis of the UK at that time.
Question:
My knowledge tells me that Mushahadah takes precedent over an Astronomy based time. Is this correct?
Answer:
Yes this is correct. This is the reason why Ulama over the years have undertaken the task of Mushahadah/visual observation throughout the world. Their observations have matched the times of 18 Degrees. Such observations have been carried out in the UK, in places such as Glasgow, London, Batley and Preston as well as other countries.
Another Viewpoint
For the past 20 years, a large number of masaajid in London (especially in and around Newham) and in Lancashire have been following a salah timetable devised by Hizbul Ulama UK allegedly based on a series of “observations” (mushahadah) in Blackburn, Lancashire in 1988.
On the basis of these “observations”, Hizbul Ulama UK devised a set of times for all masaajid in the UK.
These times are however inconsistent with Hizbul Ulama UK’s own “observations”, completely different from innumerable observations performed by ulama in the UK and around the world, and inconsistent with scholarly consensus on the subject throughout the history of Islam.
After carefully studying the timetable, senior muftiyaan-e-kiraam in the UK and abroad have condemned it as unreliable and the result of a lack of understanding, expertise and experience.
In this app we will explore a few of these errors and show that the Hizbul Ulama UK timetable does not match their own “observations”. These and other errors are not a simple a matter of difference of opinion, but rather they render the timetable unequivocally void.
First we need to define fajr.
There are two opinions for the start of fajr:
1) First speck. This is the time the first glimpse of light is seen. The fuqaha have overwhelmingly preferred this view for the start of fajr.
2) Tabayyun. This is the time when white light has spread across the horizon. Very few fuqaha have preferred this view.
There is no third opinion for fajr.
Hizbul Ulama UK vs Hizbul Ulama UK
A major issue with the Hizbul Ulama UK timetable is that their published timetable does not match their own “observations” of first speck or tabayyun.
Zoom into this image to see the details:
Look at these examples of “observations” in May…
May 15th
Observed first speck to sunrise: 1h 55m
Observed tabayyun to sunrise: 1h 33m
Time given to masaajid: 1h 48 min
May 21st
Observed first speck to sunrise: 2h 22m
Observed tabayyun to sunrise: 1h 32m
Time given to masaajid: 1h 51 min
May 25th
Observed first speck to sunrise: 2h 24m
Observed tabayyun to sunrise: 1h 44m
Time given to masaajid: 1h 54 min
Here neither first speck or tabayyun are given to masaajid to use for fajr but rather a completely random time. This is not the time of fajr according to any jurist or opinion in any of the four schools of thought.
This trend continues. In June Hizbul Ulama UK only managed two observations:
June 6th
Observed first speck to sunrise: 2h 58 m
Observed tabayyun to sunrise: 1h 43 m
Time given to masaajid: 2h
June 13th
First speck to sunrise not seen
Observed tabayyun to sunrise: 1h 54m
Time given to masaajid: 2h 4min
In the month of July Hizbul Ulama UK did not manage any successful observations (as with January).
Only two successful observations were managed in August.
August 7th
Observed first speck to sunrise: 1h 55 m
Observed tabayyun to sunrise: 1h 23 m
Time given to masaajid: 1h 43m
August 16th
Observed first speck to sunrise: 1h 54m
Observed tabayyun to sunrise: 1h 24m
Time given to masaajid: 1h 40min
These two August times currently form the basis of the fasting times used by many masaajid in London.
Almighty Allah tells us in the Quran, “Eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread”. (surah Al-Baqarah 2:187)
Hizbul Ulama UK say they “observed” the white thread of dawn becoming distinct from the black thread at 1 hour 54 minutes before sunrise on the 16th of August, but then went on to recommend that people carry on eating for another (completely random) 14 minutes!
With this, Hizbul Ulama UK have through a lack of understanding and expertise in this field, invented something new which has never before been approved by any jurist in the history of our religion.
Hizbul Ulama UK vs Ulama
Hizbul Ulama UK claim that their timetable was agreed by ulama at a meeting in Blackburn in 1988. They fail however to mention that many ulama subsequently retracted their support and that the method of construction they described to the ulama was not used.
In their book “Fajr and Isha Times and Twilight” (p112-113) they write: “At this meeting the following was agreed: For May and June, fajr beginning time be set at the recorded time of ‘tabayyun’ as is permitted by muftiyan-e-kiram.”
This shows that Hizbul Ulama UK had agreed to produce a timetable for May and June in which fajr was according to “tabayyun”. However, we’ve seen that this was not honoured. In May and June, neither first speck or tabayyun was used.
Not only have Hizbul Ulama UK made a mistake in the construction of their timetable, but they have also erred in their raw “observations” of first speck and tabayyun.
A fatwa issued by Darul Uloom Karachi and signed by Mufti Taqi Uthmani, comments on this thus: “these errors (in the Hizbul Ulama UK times) came about due to a lack of knowledge with regards to subh-sadiq.” (13/6/1411)
A fatwa against the use of the Hizbul Ulama timetable was also issued by Mufti Ismail Barkodrawi (chief mufti of Darul Uloom Kanthaaria).
Indeed, other publicly published observations by independent groups of ulama in the same area have confirmed that the raw “observations” of Hizbul Ulama UK are mistaken and likely the result of a lack of understanding, expertise and experience.
Question:
Did Mufti Mahmood Hasan give leeway to follow the Hizbul Ulama timetable?
Answer:
No. The opposite is true. Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi, in a meeting with ulama in the UK, set fajr time at 18°. He stated that times which go as low as 12° (such as those of Hizbul Ulama UK) are “completely wrong.”
What about Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi?
No. The fatwa in Imdadul Fatawa (v1 p100), referenced (wrongly) by Hizbul Ulama UK in defense of their work, is actually about observing moonset times on days in which moonset corresponds with subh-sadiq in Thaana-Bhawan (which incidentally matches 18°).
Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi has never allowed constructing a timetable by making random observations and arbitrarily interpolating them in a way that the original “observations” do not remain. Moreover, in Imdadul Fatawa (v1 p113) he recommends 18° fajr to a questioner from Scotland.
So which timetable should I follow?
Not only is it compulsory for every individual to know how to pray, but it is also compulsory for every individual to know when to pray. It is not sufficient to rely on the timetable issued by our local masjid.
Ulama around the world have, after innumerable observations, said that fajr enters when the sun is 18° below the horizon.
Mufti Taqi Uthmani has said in a fatwa published on albalagh.net that, “After a good deal of research and continuing observation my father Mufti Muhammad Shafi 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° below the horizon.”
In the UK, 18° fajr is used in almost all the Masaajid in Leicester, Batley, and Dewsbury. It is used by senior ulama like Mufti Sacha, Mufti Shabbir (Darul Uloom Bury), Mufti Ismail Kacholwi (Bradford), and Maulana Saleem Dhorat (Leicester).
This is not only a contemporary opinion but one which has been the staple of scholars for as long as we can verify.
Mufti Shafi Uthmani, Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi, Maulana Khaleel Ahmed Sahaaranpuri, Sheikh ul Hind, Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi, Allamah Shami and many others have set fajr at 18°.
In 1982 there was a meeting in Dewsbury under the chairmanship of Hadhrat Mufti Ismail Kacholwi Saheb DB who is the current (2011) Shiekh ul Hadith of Jamia Hussainiya Rander and the head Mufti there; the following Ulama agreed on an 18 degree timetable:
Historic Decision by the Ulama regarding Subh Sadiq at 18 Degrees on the 16th of Sha’baan 1402 AH/9th June 1982
In those days when Subh Sadiq occurs; meaning, when the Sun goes 18 Degrees below the Horizon, this WILL be deemed as the SUBH SADIQ and the fast and Salah will be performed according to it’.
Signed by the Muftiyaan e Kiraam and Ulama E Izaam below:
1. Mufti Ismail Kacholwi Saheb (currently Sheikh ul Hadith and Head Mufti Jamia Hussainiyah Rander)
2. Mufti Yusuf Sacha
3. Mufti Shabbir Ahmad Saheb (Ustadh e Hadith, Darul Uloom Bury)
4. Late Hadhrat Moulana Islam ul Haq Saheb RA (Sheikh ul Hadith of Darul Uloom Bury)
5. Late Hadhrat Moulana Abrar Ahmad Saheb Dhulyawi RA (Sheikh ul Hadith of Darul Uloom, Tadkeshwar)
6. Hadhrat Moulana Muhammad Hashim Saheb (Ustadh e Hadith, Darul Uloom Bury)
7. Hadhrat Moulana Lutfur Rahman Saheb (Khateeb Jamia Masjid Bradford.
8. Late Hadhrat Moulana Faiz Ali Shah Saheb RA (Khateeb Jamia Masjid Zakaria Bolton)
9. Hadhrat Moulana Abdur Rashid Rabbani (Khateeb Town Masjid Dewsbury)
10. Late Hadhrat Moulana Abu Bakr Saeed RA ( Ustad e Hadith)
11. Hadhrat Moulana Qari Ismail Saheb (Ustad e Tajweed Darul Uloom Bury)
12. Hadhrat Moulana Umerjee Saheb (Ustad, Darul Uloom Bury)
13. Hadhrat Moulana Yusuf Mamoon Saheb
14. Hadhrat Moulana Yaqoob Ismail Patel Kavi Saheb.
15. Hadhrat Moulana Yaqoob Achodi Saheb (Kahteeb Jamia Masjid Preston)
16. Hadhrat Moulana Ismail Sulaiman Saheb (Kahteeb Masjid Quwwat ul Islam Preston)
17. Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Awwal Saheb (Khateeb Masjid e Farooq Walsall)
18. Hadhrat Moulana Abdur Rauf Sufi Saheb (Khateeb Jamia Masjid Batley)
19. Hadhrat Moulana Yusuf Mama Saheb.
20. Hadhrat Moulana Moosa Karmadi Saheb (London)
21. Hadhrat Moulana Sulaiman Bodiat Saheb( Khateeb Madina Masjid Batley)
22. Hadhrat Moulana Ghulam Rasool Saheb
23. Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Kareem Gora Saheb
24. Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Gani Kachwi Saheb
25. Hadhrat Moulana Ghulam Mohammad Gheewala Saheb (Leicester)
26. Hadhrat Moulana Ghulam Mohammad Diwan Qasim Saheb Saheb (Leicester)
27. Hadhrat Moulana Abdur Razzaq Saheb
28. Late Hadhrat Moulana Ismail Kantharwi Saheb RA
29. Hadhrat Moulana Abdullah Wahalu Saheb (Ustad ,Darul Uloom Bury)
30. Hadhrat Moulana Uthman Saheb (Nuneaton)
31. Hadhrat Moulana Abul Qasim Saheb ( Dewsbury)
32. Hadhrat Moulana Yaqub Ibrahim Sheikh (Preston)
33. Hadhrat Moulana Dawood Limbada Saheb (Bolton)
34. Hadhrat Moulana Ismail Cheena Saheb
35. Hadhrat Moulana Ibrahim Navsarka Saheb.
36. Hadhrat Moulana Ahmad Abdul Hai Sarkar Saheb
37. Hadhrat Moulana Ismail Momaniat Saheb
38. Hadhrat Moulana Yusuf Patel Kafletwi Saheb
39. Hadhrat Moulana Yusuf Kowthee Saheb (Ustad e Hadith Darul Uloom London)
40. Moulana Yaqub Kavi Qasmi Saheb Dewsbury
In conclusion, if your masjid is still following a timetable set by the Hizb-ul-Ulama, talk to the committee members and arrange to show them these errors. If you wish to arrange for an expert to come and talk to them about the subject, please contact us through the contact page at:
http://www.lentricasoftware.com/contact-us
Inshallah, sooner or later, we will all be on the correct timetable.
May Almighty Allah guide us all to the straight path. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.