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Sawm or fasting is abstention from drinking , eating and sexual relationship from
twilight to sunset for Allah¶s sake. In the old times, horizon was observed with
the naked eye and eating would be suspended when light augmented on the
horizon. Calendar now replace s these observations, but since calendars are
inaccurate, people in Turkey start fasting at least 40 minutes earlier than they
should.

Although this duration decreases by approaching the terrestrial equator, it may

lengthen upto a few hours at the north pole. A huge entanglement emerges
when problems about isha time add on to this.

A- TWILIGHT OCCASIONS

The reason for the mistake in calendars is the inaccurate choice made amongst
five different twilight occasions before the sunrise. These are: µFajr al-Kazib¶,
µAstronomical Twilight¶, µNautical Twilight¶, µFajr as-Sadiq¶ and µCivil Twilight¶.

1- FAJR AL-KAZIB:

Is the illumination that appears vertically, descending downwards in the east,

towards the morning. It illuminates brighter at the top, and its bottom does not
touch the horizon. It is a short timeline that still allows eating. Since Bilal
Habashi made the call to prayer at this time, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.)
claimed:

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   (Muslim, Siyam: 8)

2- ASTRONOMICAL TWILIGHT:

Is the twilight that occurs at the higher layers of the atmosphere, which prevents
the observation of stars. It begins when the center of ( sun moves to within 18°
of the horizon in the morning and ends when the sun falls more than 18° below
the horizon in the evening. This is the definition by astronomers. By the time,
the horizon is dark and the closest sunrays are almost 400 km above the
Earth¶s surface.
 Astronomical Twilight in Arabian Desert. No illumination on the horizon.
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3- NAUTICAL TWILIGHT:

Is the time when the sun is 12 V below the horizon. Under good atmospheric
conditions, general outlines of ground objects may be distinguishable, but the
horizon is indistinct. Sailors need to see both the stars and the horizon since
they determine their directions studying the stars. In the darkness, stars are
visible but the horizon is not. In case the sun moves within 6° of the horizon, the
horizon is visible but the stars are not. Therefore, sailors make their
observations between the nautical twilight and the civil twilight. Best time for
observation is when the sun is 10° below the horizon. It is called µobservation
twilight¶ by the sailors. p

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4- FAJR AS-SADIQ :

Is the time when the augmenting sunrays spread on the eastern horizon, and it
provides a clear view. These rays form a white line right over the horizon. The
surface between the observer and the horizon is seen as a wide black line.
The observer begins fasting when these two lines can be distinguished with
the naked eye. According to our observations, by that time the Sun is 10 V
below the horizon. Allah T¶ala wills so:

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 (Bakara 2/187)
 FAJR AS-SADIQ

FAJR AS-SADIQ FROM SPACE

5- CIVIL TWILIGHT :

Is the time when the sun is 6V below the horizon. By the time, ground objects
are clearly visible as well as the brightest stars. This time is called µasffar¶
(έΎϔγϻ΍) in fiqh.

CIVIL TWILIGHT
The boat and the sea are clearly visible
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The moment of sunrise is the moment when the sun shows the edge of its circle
on the horizon.

SUNRISE

B- CALENDAR STUDIES

In the old times, fasting would begin reliant on the observations made with the
naked eye. Calendars have replaced the naked eye observations nowadays.
Gazi Ahmed Muhtar Pasha (1839 ±1919) explains the preparation of calendars
in accordance with the µastronomical twilight¶ in these words:

³Our consensus on the fajr time is that it begins when the sun approaches to eastern
horizon by 21,5V. However, the actual time of fajr as-sadiq is when the sun is 19V below
2
the horizon. It is only out of prudency that our calculation falls before fajr as-sadiq. ´

First, 18V of astronomical twilight is increased to 19 V, then 2.5V more added out
of prudency, which causes the fasting to begin in the middle of the night.

At this time, not even fajr al-kazib is actually due. Therefore, rays from zodiacs
are called as µfajr al-kazib¶. Since zodiac rays are also visible in the evening, the
term µdawn al-kazib¶ is made up to complete the scenario.

The Presidency of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Turkey abolished the

prudence time in 1983, reducing the fasting start time to 18V. Upon objections,
new observations were made with us taking part. It is established each and
every time that astronomical twilight cannot be taken as fajr as -sadiq, but the
conclusion of these observations never took its place on calendars.

Insisting on the mistake has not only turned the fasting start and i sha salat
times into oppressive medium, but also cause d Islam to lose prestige due to
the great complexity of problem at closer locations to the poles.
Astronomical twilight is the business of astronomers, nautical twilight is the
business of sailors. Fajr as-sadiq is irrelevant. Its definiton, origins and
consequences are different. This huge mistake should be reverted. This
oppression on Muslims and Islam should be stopped!

Effort comes from believers, success, from Allah.

  
  ! "

İ.Ü. Faculty of Divinity Professor

Süleymaniye Foundation ± Religion and Creation¶s Dispositions Centre
President

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