ANALISIS PERBANDINGAN KETEPATAN WAKTU ZUHUR DAN ASAR : CERAPAN BAYANG ISTIWA’ DAN HITUNGAN FALAK

A Comparative Analysis of the Accuracy of Zuhr and Asr Prayer Times: Observations of the Istiwaʾ Shadow and Astronomical Calculations

Abstract

Prayer is an act of worship made obligatory by Islamic law for Muslims and must be performed within its prescribed times. The determination of prayer times is explained through the textual sources of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Each prayer time has a specific method for determining its commencement. At present, prayer times are determined entirely through calculation methods, without direct observation of the sun’s shadow, which represents the original method prescribed by Islamic law. However, to what extent do discrepancies arise when prayer times are verified through solar observation, and do the prayer-time timetables issued by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) correspond to physical observations of the sun’s actual position? This study compares the solar-observation method with mathematical formula-based calculations. It employed library research and fieldwork to obtain observational data, particularly the shadow lengths used to determine the times of Ẓuhr and ʿAṣr through solar observation. The study was conducted at the Surau of the Academy of Islamic Studies, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. The findings show that the discrepancy range for Ẓuhr between observation and the JAKIM timetable was 0–2 minutes, while that between calculation and the JAKIM timetable was 1–2 minutes. For ʿAṣr, the discrepancy range between observation and the JAKIM timetable was 0–2 minutes, whereas that between calculation and the JAKIM timetable was 1–3 minutes. The prayer-time timetable issued by JAKIM is accurate and may be confidently relied upon by Muslims, particularly in Malaysia, in performing their prayers. The observed discrepancies between observation, calculation, and the JAKIM timetable are attributable to differences in the reference coordinates used.