Dawn and sunrise describe different events
In SalahTable, Fajr is calculated from the chosen dawn convention. Sunrise is the later time when the sun's upper edge reaches the horizon under the model's standard assumptions. The US Naval Observatory's definitions distinguish sunrise from the twilight preceding it. An astronomical definition is background for reading a table, not a religious ruling.
“Fajr”, “Subuh” and “sunrise” are not interchangeable column labels. On this site, the Ramadan “Sehri ends” entry reuses Fajr; it does not use sunrise. For imsak reminders, read our guide to sehri, imsak and Fajr.
How long is the gap? Four cities, four dates
These 2027 examples use each city's default method. They are calculated starts, not mosque congregation schedules. All clocks are local to the city; the difference subtracts the underlying instants.
| City / method | Date | Fajr | Sunrise | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karachi University of Islamic Sciences, Karachi | 2027-03-21 | 5:20 AM | 6:35 AM | 75 min |
| Karachi University of Islamic Sciences, Karachi | 2027-06-21 | 4:14 AM | 5:43 AM | 89 min |
| Karachi University of Islamic Sciences, Karachi | 2027-09-21 | 5:04 AM | 6:20 AM | 76 min |
| Karachi University of Islamic Sciences, Karachi | 2027-12-21 | 5:50 AM | 7:12 AM | 82 min |
| New York Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) | 2027-03-21 | 5:43 AM | 6:58 AM | 75 min |
| New York Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) | 2027-06-21 | 3:45 AM | 5:25 AM | 100 min |
| New York Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) | 2027-09-21 | 5:27 AM | 6:42 AM | 75 min |
| New York Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) | 2027-12-21 | 5:54 AM | 7:16 AM | 82 min |
| Singapore Singapore / Malaysia (MUIS, JAKIM) | 2027-03-21 | 5:52 AM | 7:09 AM | 77 min |
| Singapore Singapore / Malaysia (MUIS, JAKIM) | 2027-06-21 | 5:37 AM | 7:01 AM | 84 min |
| Singapore Singapore / Malaysia (MUIS, JAKIM) | 2027-09-21 | 5:38 AM | 6:55 AM | 77 min |
| Singapore Singapore / Malaysia (MUIS, JAKIM) | 2027-12-21 | 5:38 AM | 7:01 AM | 83 min |
| Sydney Muslim World League | 2027-03-21 | 5:35 AM | 6:59 AM | 84 min |
| Sydney Muslim World League | 2027-06-21 | 5:30 AM | 7:00 AM | 90 min |
| Sydney Muslim World League | 2027-09-21 | 4:24 AM | 5:47 AM | 83 min |
| Sydney Muslim World League | 2027-12-21 | 3:56 AM | 5:41 AM | 105 min |
Why not just subtract 90 minutes?
A fixed subtraction hides differences between seasons and locations. Changing the Fajr method can also move Fajr while leaving the sunrise calculation unchanged. Our 15° versus 18° study isolates that parameter difference.
High-latitude summer is another complication: when a twilight angle is not reached, a method may use an approximation. The resulting Fajr entry should not be described as a direct observation of dawn. See the high-latitude explanation.
What about the end of the Fajr prayer period?
This table identifies calculated starts and sunrise; it does not set personal deadlines or decide the validity of a prayer. For religious guidance about prayer windows, follow your mosque or a qualified teacher. For attending a congregation, use the mosque's own jama‘ah or iqamah column.