Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu,
I live in Peoria, IL and there are 2 masjids and a musalla here. The masjid issues a Ramadan Salah timings calender in which the Fajr / Suhoor end time is 4:15 am whereas according to the calculation of the same in the Muslim Pro mobile application through Islamic University, Karachi, it is 3:45 am. So there is a difference of approximately 30 mins in both of the timings. Please let me know which timings to follow.
Jazakallah Khair
الجواب وباللہ التوفیق
The actual calculation of timings is done with the astronomical signs which have been mentioned in the Qur’an, Hadith and the books of fiqh. Utilizing this information, the computer applications and software is delevoped. One who is not familiar with these signs and the detailed knowledge is bound to depend upon and take help from such software applications. It should be clearly noted that all these software applications or almanacs are all estimated and based on assumptions and should not be considered definite and absolute. In other words, the timings written in them are not 100% confirmed rather these things are considered as tools to provide us benefits benefits such as convenience and close approximation. Today there is guidance available on the internet for the correct timings for every place in the world and the timings of salat for every place can easily be found. In addition, guidance can be taken from the experts in the fields of meteorology to find resolution of such issues. Therefore, one should contact a local madrasah or reputable ulamah kiram for finding a resolution to these issues and practice according to the guidance provided by them. (مستفاد: فتاویٰ محمودیہ ۹؍۷۱-۷۳ میرٹھ)
فینبغي الاعتماد في أوقات الصلاۃ وفي القبلۃ علی ما ذکرہ العلماء الثقات في کتب المواقیت، وعلی ما وضعوہ لہا من الآلات کالربع والاصطرلاب، فإنہا و إن لم تفد الیقین، تفید غلبۃ الظن للعالم بہا، وغلبۃ الظن کافیۃ في ذٰلک۔
(شامي ۱؍۴۳۱ کراچی)
واللہ اعلم بالصواب