How to Use the Azan Library for Prayer Time Calculation

Jul 22, 2023 | Programming

The Azan library is a powerful tool designed for developers looking to implement prayer time calculations seamlessly into their applications. It simplifies the intricate process of determining the prayer times, which previously relied on complex astronomical calculations. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to integrate this library into your application while also addressing some common troubleshooting issues you might encounter.

What is Azan?

The Azan is the Muslim call to ritual prayer, traditionally announced by a muezzin from a mosque’s minaret. With five prayers scheduled throughout the day, accurate notifications are essential. Historically, the timing was based on natural phenomena such as the position of the sun, but modern developers have recognized the need for automated and precise calculations due to the complexities of factors like latitude, longitude, and time zones.

Understanding the Azan Library

The Azan library is your go-to solution to calculate prayer times with minimal code. Rather than grappling with cumbersome calculations, this library allows you to easily implement prayer times through a few lines of code. Think of it like a GPS system that computes the best route to your destination without needing to understand the road network yourself.

Supported Calculation Methods

Various calculation methods exist to determine prayer times, each with its unique parameters. Below is a table that offers insights into supported methods:

  • Umm al-Qura University, Makkah – Fajr Angle: 18.5, Isha Angle: 90 min after Maghrib, 120 min during Ramadan
  • MUHAMMADIYAH – Fajr Angle: 20, Isha Angle: 18
  • Muslim World League (MWL) – Fajr Angle: 18, Isha Angle: 17
  • Egyptian General Authority of Survey – Fajr Angle: 19.5, Isha Angle: 17.5
  • University of Islamic Sciences, Karachi – Fajr Angle: 18, Isha Angle: 18
  • Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) – Fajr Angle: 15, Isha Angle: 15
  • Ithna Ashari – Fajr Angle: 16, Isha Angle: 14
  • Institute of Geophysics, University of Tehran – Fajr Angle: 17.7, Isha Angle: 14
  • UOIF (Union des organisations islamiques de France) – Fajr Angle: 12, Isha Angle: 12
  • Kuwait Calc method – Fajr Angle: 18, Isha Angle: 17.5

How to Use the Azan Library

To incorporate the Azan library into your project, follow these steps:

Add Dependencies

  • Add the JitPack repository to your project’s root build.gradle file:
  • allprojects {
            repositories {
                maven { url 'https://jitpack.io' }
            }
        }
  • Then, add the Azan dependency to the build.gradle file of your app module:
  • implementation 'com.github.ahmedeltaher:Azan:3.0'

Example Code for Retrieving Prayer Times

Here’s a simplified snippet demonstrating how to get prayer times:

val today = SimpleDate(GregorianCalendar())
val location = Location(30.045411, 31.236735, 2.0, 0)
val azan = Azan(location, Method.EGYPT_SURVEY)
val prayerTimes = azan.getPrayerTimes(today)
val imsaak = azan.getImsaak(today)

println("----------------results------------------------")
println("date --- " + today.day + "-" + today.month + "-" + today.year)
println("imsaak --- $imsaak")
println("Fajr --- " + prayerTimes.fajr())
println("sunrise --- " + prayerTimes.shuruq())
println("Zuhr --- " + prayerTimes.thuhr())
println("Asr --- " + prayerTimes.assr())
println("Maghrib --- " + prayerTimes.maghrib())
println("ISHA --- " + prayerTimes.ishaa())
println("----------------------------------------")

Troubleshooting Common Issues

As with any software implementation, you might encounter some issues. Here are a few troubleshooting tips:

  • Library Not Found: Ensure you’ve correctly added the JitPack repository in your root build.gradle file.
  • Incorrect Prayer Times: Double-check your provided location data, as accurate latitude, longitude, timezone, and calculation method are essential for correct results.
  • Dependency Conflicts: Sometimes, conflicts with other libraries can arise; use Gradle’s dependency resolution strategies to fix them.

For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

The Importance of Accuracy in Azan Calculations

Integrating the Azan library into your application provides a more accurate and efficient means of notifying Muslims of prayer times. Like a GPS ensuring your timely arrival at a destination, the Azan library helps the faithful navigate their spiritual journey throughout the day.

Final Thoughts

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.

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