Muslim World League Method Explained
The Muslim World League (MWL) method fixes Fajr at 18 degrees below the horizon and Isha at 17 degrees below the horizon. It's one of the most widely used calculation conventions internationally. It's the method this site uses by default for every page.
Last updated
The two angles MWL sets
Only Fajr and Isha need an angle at all
18°
Fajr: sun's angle below the horizon before sunrise
17°
Isha: sun's angle below the horizon after sunset
Where the angles come from
Fajr and Isha both mark points of twilight, when the sky is neither fully dark nor lit by direct sunlight. They can't be pinned to sunrise or sunset the way Dhuhr and Maghrib can. Instead, each calculation method defines them as a specific angle of the sun below the horizon.
That angle is chosen by the body that publishes the method, based on when true dawn and the end of evening twilight are judged to occur. The Muslim World League set its own angles at 18 and 17 degrees.
What doesn't change between methods
Dhuhr, Asr and Maghrib are not set by a twilight angle. They come from solar noon, shadow length and sunset. So most methods give the same middle three prayers for the same city and day. They differ only at the start and end of the day.
There are two exceptions. The Jafari and University of Tehran methods start Maghrib a few minutes after sunset, once the redness leaves the eastern sky. Asr also shifts if you switch between the Shafi'i and Hanafi conventions.
Why this site defaults to MWL
Built for a broad, mixed community
Widely adopted internationally
One of the most widely used conventions worldwide, not a niche or regional choice.
Not tied to one country's convention
Sydney's Muslim community is genuinely mixed. MWL isn't a single-country default like Umm al-Qura or Karachi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Muslim World League method actually set? +
It sets two twilight angles: Fajr begins when the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon before sunrise. Isha begins when the sun is 17 degrees below the horizon after sunset. Dhuhr, Asr and Maghrib do not use a twilight angle, so they usually match across methods.
Is MWL the only method used worldwide? +
No. Regional bodies and organisations have published their own angle conventions, including ISNA, the Umm al-Qura method used in Saudi Arabia, the Egyptian General Authority of Survey and several country-specific methods. See the calculation method comparison guide for the full list.
Why does this site use MWL by default? +
MWL is one of the most widely adopted methods internationally and is not tied to a single country's local convention. That fits a site aimed at a broad, mixed community like Sydney's.