Fatwa Muslim World League 2007

The Fatwa of the Muslim World League of 2007

The session of the Committee of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy convened at the centre of the Muslim World League in Mecca, from 22 to 27 Shawwal 1428 AH or from 3 to 8 November 2007, to address the request directed to it by the director of the Islamic Cultural Centre in Belgium. In it, he requested a clarification of some points of the resolution of the sixth committee in its ninth meeting in connection with the following matter: "The prayer and fasting times of countries located at extreme geographical latitudes."

After reviewing the submitted studies, obtaining expert opinions and conducting detailed discussions, as well as considering the two resolutions of the committee in this context, which are as follows:

The third resolution during the fifth meeting in Rabi al-Akhir of the year 1402 AH, as well as the sixth resolution during the ninth meeting in Rajab of the year 1406 AH, which included a division of the regions at extreme geographical latitudes into three (individual) regions and contained their (specific) rulings:

"Countries located between latitudes 45 and 48 North and South, in which the visible signs for the (prayer) times can be observed over a 24-hour period, are obliged to perform the prayers at their designated times, as well as to fast from its designated time from the appearance of the true Fajr until sunset; this is in accordance with the texts of Islamic jurisprudence regarding prayer and fasting times. And the person who is unable to fast for a day or to complete the fast due to its length is permitted to break their fast and make up for these days on suitably appropriate days.

Regarding the countries located above latitude 66 North and South, in which there is an absence of the visible signs for the prayer times over a longer period of the year, the prayer times there are determined using the calculation method for comparable times at latitude 45.

The session resolved the following:

Firstly: "The confirmation of its previous resolution in connection with the countries located between latitudes 45 and 48, or above latitude 66 North and South."

Secondly: "Regarding the countries located between latitudes 48 and 66 North and South (about which the question was asked), the session confirms its resolution on this matter. This was announced during the ninth meeting: "For countries located between latitudes 48 and 66 North and South, the prayer times for Fajr (dawn prayer) and Isha (night prayer) are determined using the adjusted calculation method for their comparable times in the nearest night of the closest location where the signs of Isha (night prayer) and Fajr (dawn prayer) become visible. The session of the committee proposes latitude 45, as this represents the closest location where the (described )acts of worship or the distinction (of the times) is possible. If, for example, Isha (night prayer) begins after one-third of the night at latitude 45, this is applied in exactly the same way to the night of the latitude of the desired location to determine the prayer time. The same procedure applies to Fajr.

In the interest of clarifying the (previously described) ruling - "To resolve the existing problems in the question posed to the committee ", the session of the committee (for Fiqh affairs of the Muslim World League) considers that the actions mentioned in the previous ruling stand in Sunni Qiyas (consensus) between the northern and southern latitudes 48-66.

And this refers to the case in which an astronomical sign for the time is absent. If, however, the signs for the prayer times become visible, but the disappearance of twilight, marking the start of the time for Isha (night prayer), is very delayed, then the committee considers it obligatory to perform Isha at its correctly designated time. For people who experience difficulty in waiting and performing Isha at its time, such as (for example) students, employees, and workers on their working days, it is permissible for them to combine the prayers in accordance with the transmitted texts regarding the removal of hardship from this Ummah. This includes the narration from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them), which was narrated, among others, in Sahih Muslim, in which he said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) combined the Dhuhr (midday prayer) and Asr (afternoon prayer) as well as the Maghrib (evening prayer) and Isha (night prayer) in Medina, without being in a state of fear or it raining. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) was asked about this matter and replied: "He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not want to subject his Ummah to hardship. Combining should therefore not represent the norm for all people in this country at all times, because this entails converting the permission to combine into an obligation. The committee considers that it is permissible, or rather better, to orient oneself in this case to the respective situation or the existing circumstances.

The decisive factor for this hardship comes down to customary practice (Arabic : Al-Urf), and this differs from person to person, (different) locations, and circumstances.

The session of the Committee of the Muslim World League recommends the establishment of a centre in Mecca, which takes care of Sharia (Islamic law) rulings in astronomical matters, thus representing an authority to which Muslims can refer back regarding prayer times in all cities, especially for Muslims in non-Islamic countries. A unified Hijri calendar for all Muslims should also be published, and there should be cooperation with the bodies responsible for astronomical sightings to achieve this goal.

The session of the committee hopes that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (may Allah protect him), will support the establishment of this centre, and he remains committed to supporting everything that contains a benefit for Islam and Muslims.

Furthermore, the committee recommends that those responsible for (Islamic) centres and Islamic organisations strive to unite the Muslims and agree on the determination of their prayer times as well as the times of their acts of worship.

The session of the committee considers that a commission should be tasked with creating a prayer timetable for the countries with extreme latitudes that were mentioned in the ruling.

And may Allah's peace and blessings be upon our Prophet and his family and his messengers, and all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

The President of the Committee: His Eminence Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Representative of the President: His Eminence Doctor Abdullah Bin Abdul Muhsin At-Turki

The Secretary General: Doctor Salih Bin Zabin Al-Marzuqi Al-Baqami