Islamic Prayer Time Calculation in High-Latitude Summer: A Computational Approach Using the Ittibāʿ Aqrab al-Bilād Method in Iceland

Mayrisa Andriyani; Siti Nurwilda; Sofiyah Sofiyah; A’isyah Wulandari; Wahyu Ningtiyas Mergianti; Nurissaidah Ulinnuha

doi:10.21580/al-hilal.2026.8.1.29337

Authors

Mayrisa Andriyani Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel Surabaya, Indonesia
Siti Nurwilda Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel Surabaya, Indonesia
Sofiyah Sofiyah Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel Surabaya, Indonesia
A’isyah Wulandari Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel Surabaya, Indonesia
Wahyu Ningtiyas Mergianti Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel Surabaya, Indonesia
Nurissaidah Ulinnuha Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel Surabaya, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4127-2590

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21580/al-hilal.2026.8.1.29337

Keywords:

Islamic prayer times, high-latitude regions, continuous twilight, ittibā’ aqrab al-bilād

Abstract

Determining Islamic prayer times in high-latitude regions is challenging, particularly during summer when continuous twilight prevents the Sun from reaching required depression angles below the horizon. This condition causes conventional solar-angle-based methods to produce undefined (NaN) values for Fajr and Isha. This study proposes a computational approach to address this limitation using Reykjavik, Iceland, as a case study. Astronomical calculations based on solar position parameters are applied to determine Dhuhr, Asr, and Maghrib. At the same time, the ittibā’ aqrab al-bilād method is used to resolve Fajr and Isha by referencing London as the nearest region with normal day–night cycles. The method is implemented in a GUI-based prayer time calculator. Validation shows that the computed times have acceptable deviations, averaging 14–15 minutes compared to established applications, with larger discrepancies for Isha due to persistent twilight. This study offers a practical, computational, and jurisprudential solution to determining prayer times in extreme latitudes.

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