{"_id":"668da06a0b76658b4c23369b","title":"Is it safer to follow the 18 degrees Fajr time?","question":"I am looking to understand what the 18 vs 15 degrees disagreement is for prayer. I believe it is only related to Fajr but I only have a bare understanding of the issue. Almost every mosque I have gone to follows the ISNA 15 degree standard so that is what I have followed previously but I have heard recently from friends that 18 degrees is the correct way but I have not gotten much of an explanation so I’d like to understand this before blindly following. If you, have an online resource that you approve of that readily explains the issue and why 18 degrees is the way to follow that would work as well.","answer":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"Fajr begins with the break of true dawn, marked by twilight appearing in the East and expanding both horizontally and vertically. Today, artificial skyglow makes it almost impossible to observe Fajr accurately. Because of this, determining Fajr when the geometric center of the sun is 15 degrees below the horizon is unreliable. Given the circumstances, the safest approach is to set Fajr at 18 degrees, aligning more closely with historical observations. This becomes particularly important during Ramaḍān. I recommend using 18 degrees for imsāk (the time to stop eating) to be cautious. For praying Fajr, delaying it by a couple of degrees (to 16 or 15 degrees) is also advisable to ensure that one prays after Fajr time has entered. \\n\\nFor ʿIshāʾ, following 18 degrees is similarly precautionary. \\n\\nRather than arguing over which opinion is correct, we should prioritize our religion and be pragmatic not dogmatic.\\n\"}]}","tags":[{"_id":"668d9fde0b76658b4c232774","tag":"Fasting: Ramadan","count":97},{"_id":"668da00c0b76658b4c232ca7","tag":"Salah: Timings","count":52}],"createdOn":"2024-07-09T20:41:14.418Z"}