You may be interested in reading some of the issues that need to be resolved for the 2005 prayer timetable. This is not a complete list. This a brief list which will be edited and added to during the week insha'Allah.
Last updated 31-Dec-2004
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Issue |
Our Comments/ Recommendations |
Mosque Decision |
| 1. Any new timetable must be independently verified | Once the
Cambridge Mosque has prepared a new 2005 Prayer Timetable, it then needs to
be checked for errors and independently verified to ensure that it is
correct and that it conforms to Islamic Shariah. |
 We
have requested details regarding the verification process, but no information has been
made available to us. It is unlikely that independent verification will/has taken
place. (Last updated 31/12/04) |
| 2. The Cambridge Mosque committee should approach the Head Imam of London Central Mosque for any help and assistance they may require | For advice and
recommendations, and to help independently verify the that the prayer
timetable conforms to Islamic Shariah.
This is to avoid the repeat of the issues
that were discovered in the 2003/2004 timetable. For example, the current
timetable follows an Asr prayer methodology which is totally unacceptable
from the Shariah. |
The
Mosque Committee believe that this critical step is not necessary.
(30/12/04) |
| 3. Provide the source or person providing the prayer timetable data | This is in order to ensure that
calculations and recommendations of the of the consultant are being
followed. The Mosque Committee believed that the 2004 prayer times were based on the calculations and recommendations of Khalid Shaukat, but this did not appear to be the case. The data stills needs to be checked for
errors and independently verified to ensure that it is correct and that it
conforms to Islamic Shariah. |
 The
mosque will be using the data provided by Khalid Shaukat.
(27/12/04)
|
| 4. What method will be used for Asr prayers? | The current
timetable is unacceptable from the Shariah point of view. Asr times have been adopted that conforms neither to the methodologies of Imams Shaafi, Hambali, Maliki or Imam Abu Hanifa and nor to the Shariah.
However, the current prayer timetable follows
Shaafi Asr for 8 long months of the year. From March – October
the Mosque timetable appears to follow the Shaafi Asr. Thus current Mosque prayer timetable
follows essentially a Shaafi Asr prayer. Thus, our recommendation is that
the timetable should continue to follow the Shaafi Asr months
for 12 months rather than for just eight. |
The
mosque has decided to use Hanafi Asr for the new timetable. This is a
major change to the timetable.
(27/12/04)
|
| 5. Friday Jumah prayers MUST finish early enough so that those following a Shaafi or Hanafi Asr do not miss their Jumah prayers. | Friday Jumah
prayers in winter MUST finish early enough so that those who follow a
Shaafi or Hanafi Asr do not miss their Jumah prayers. Shaafi Asr can begin as early as 1:35pm in December, yet sometimes the Jumah prayer start as late as 1:40pm!
|
The
Mosque has decided to only follow a Hanafi Asr.
(27/12/04)
|
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6. It is "impossible" to pray Fajr and Isha in some summer months? How will this be resolved? |
Here in Britain,
the Shariah phenomenon for determining Fajr and Isha prayers is present for
about for about eight months of the year. But during some months Fajr and Isha prayers may not occur during the summer months. This is because the Sun does not get far enough below the horizon for the twilight to occur. This is called persistent twilight and occurs between May 21st - July 21st. How will this be resolved? What is the evidence for any method or opinion adopted by the Mosque? Whatever method is used to resolve this phenomenon it must conform to Islamic Shariah.
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7. Fajr and Isha prayers in some summer months can be VERY LATE. How will this be resolved? |
Using the pure and unadjusted prayer time
data - you will
notice that some summer evening twilight prayer times (Isha) are
given for times greater than 24 hourr e.g. 2005 May 18th the time given is
24:43. This means that the prayer time is actually 00:43 on 2005 May 19th.
NOTE: The Isha Prayer for the 19th of May actually occurs at about 00:23 on the 20th May!!! How will this be resolved? Whatever method is used to resolve this phenomenon it must conform to Islamic Shariah. What is the evidence for any method or opinion adopted by the Mosque?
|
No
information has yet been made available by the mosque.
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| 8. At what time should fasting begin? |
NOTE: During some summer months Fajr (and Isha) may NOT occur. So how does one fast? How does one pray Fajr and Isha? What is the evidence for any method or opinion adopted by the Mosque to resolve this? Whatever method is used to resolve this
phenomenon it must conform to Islamic Shariah. |
No
information has yet been made available.
|
| Further issues will be entered here insha'Allah. | ||
since 27th December 2004