Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

I want to ask u. that as per English people they assume that the day start from night 12.00am clock. But in the islam next day start from after MAGRIB. I want to know that in Islamic calander its start from MAGRIB OR AFTER 12.00AM IN THE NIGHT.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Start time of day

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 10 Surah Yunus verse 5:

5 It is He Who made the sun to be a shining glory and the moon to be a (reflected) light, and measured out stages for her that ye might know the number of years and the count (of time). Nowise did Allah create this but in truth and righteousness. (Thus) doth He explain his Signs in detail for those who understand.

The count of time and days in Islam is not based on the mechanical 24 hours, but rather on the movement of the sun; thus the start of the count of a day in Islam would begin at the time of the setting of the sun, or ‘magrib’ time.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan