Calculation method for Salah?

[Servant of Allah]

Is it true that with regards to Dawn(Fajr) that there are 3 Dawn's(Astronomical, Nautical, and Civil dawn)
If this is true then which is the dawn that should be followed?

Also with regards to this, for Salah times there are many different calculation methods for example MWL(Muslim World League), ISNA(Islamic Society of North America), Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) as well as many others
For a Muslim living a country with barely any Masjids or Muslims around them, which calculation method is reliable & most accurate?

 

[Danial]

1. How Many Dawns Are There in Islam?

In Islam, there are only two dawns, not three:

1. False dawn (الفجر الكاذب)

Vertical light in the sky

Appears briefly, then disappears

No rulings are connected to it

2. True dawn (الفجر الصادق)

Horizontal light spreading along the horizon

Continues to increase in brightness

This is when:

Fajr prayer begins

Eating and drinking for fasting become forbidden

Evidence from the Qur’an

﴿وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ﴾

“And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct from the black thread of night.”

[Surah al-Baqarah 2:187]

Statements of the Scholars

Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهما said:

“There are two dawns. The one that appears vertically does not make anything halal or haram. The one that spreads along the horizon makes it haram to drink.”

Reference: Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 1/516

Ibn Qudamah رحمه الله said:

“The time of dawn refers to the appearance of the second dawn according to consensus.”

Reference: Al-Mughni: 1/232

2. Astronomical Dawns and Islam

Astronomical, nautical, and civil dawns are astronomical terms, not Islamic definitions.
Islamic rulings are tied only to the true dawn as seen on the horizon, not to calculations or labels.

3. Are Prayer Timetables Reliable?

Prayer timetables, especially for Fajr, are not fully reliable.

IslamQA states that their inaccuracy has been established.

One should not rely on them with certainty for Fajr.

4. What Should a Muslim Do?

If possible, identify true dawn by observation

If not possible:

Delay Fajr prayer after the timetable time until you are confident dawn has begun

Stop eating only when you are certain dawn has entered

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

“So long as he is not certain that dawn has broken, he may eat until he is certain.”

Reference: Fatawa al-Siyam: 299

Conclusion

Islam recognizes only one true Fajr

Astronomical calculations are approximate

Certainty is required for prayer

Caution is required in worship

والله أعلم وصلى الله وسلم على نبينا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين