Question

I have an interesting question concerning the issue of if a Muslim lives in Alaska or Iceland.  Now there are times in these places where the day never ends and the sun never sets.  How is one supposed to keep the fast then?   How does one know when the time for sala’h is?

Answer

If there is a Muslim community residing in such areas, it can collectively decide on such timings, as well as timings for prayers etc.

As a matter of fact, people who live in places like these, do have a way of managing their hours. I am sure, they wake up in the “morning”, take breakfast, go to work, take lunch, may be even take an “afternoon” nap, take their “evening” tea, and retire to their bedrooms, in the “night” time.

Just like all these activities are managed even in these areas, and managed quite effectively, in the same way, prayers and fasting can also be managed independent of the movements of the sun, if such movements are not easily visible in any areas.

September 30, 1997