The Definition between Subh Kadhib (False Dawn), Subh Sadiq (True Dawn) & Shuruq (Sunrise)

Assalamu alaikum,

Dawn is that moment when the reflected and refracted rays from the sun begin to reach the earth. Dawn happens much in advance of the actual sunrise.

In the very beginning, a vertical white streak of light appears above the horizon [Termed ‘Subh Khadib’] and as the sun approaches, the rays of light change their direction and begin to spread over the horizon. [Termed ‘Subh Sadiq’]

Then with further approach of the sun, the refracted rays also appear with the result that the intensity of the light increase and the colour changes from white to pinkish and then to yellowish. The sunrise follows this moment. [Termed ‘Shuruq’]

[from: Prayer Times for the United Kingdom & Ireland (with a detailed discussion of the Twilight Phenomenon and the solutions related to the Absence of true Night in higher latitudes) ]

Compiled by Moulana Yakub Qasmi and  Tariq Muneer B Eng, Msc. Phd, MI Mech E

It is mentioned in Nuru’l Idah:

The time for morning is from the rising of the true dawn until before the sunrise

(Imam Shuranbulali, Nuru’l Idha pg 55)

The explanation to this text by Imam I’zaz Ali in his marginal commentary is as follows:

The second dawn is called ‘True’ because it is truthful and clear. And the first is called ‘False’ because there is illumination on the horizon but it gets dark and the light fades away and darkness appears. Thus it is termed ‘False.’

And Allah Knows Best

Wassalam,
[Shaykh Ilyas Patel of Keighley]