During the month of Ramadan, many people notice that the time to\nbreak the fast is not truly the same from day to day. The iftar time\ntypically shifts by a few minutes each day. This often raises questions\nas to why the iftar time can change and not stay constant like other\ndaily schedules.<\/p>\n
The change in iftar time is not due to calendar errors or changes in\nreligious timing practices. The shift is directly linked to astronomical\nphenomena, notably the movement of the Earth and the position of the\nSun, which change continually from day to day.<\/p>\n
In determining iftar time, the main reference is sunset or Maghrib\ntime. Because the Sun\u2019s position as observed from Earth continually\nchanges due to the rotation and revolution of the Earth, sunset time is\nnever exactly the same from one day to the next. Usually this shift\nranges from one to several minutes daily, but if accumulated over a\nmonth, the change can exceed ten minutes.<\/p>\n
This phenomenon relates to Earth\u2019s rotation and revolution. Our\nplanet spins on its axis while also orbiting the Sun. When the Earth\nrotates, the line of the horizon that blocks the Sun moves slowly, so\nthe time the Sun disappears below the western horizon also shifts day by\nday.<\/p>\n
Beyond the Earth\u2019s motion, geographic differences also affect the\nsunset time. Each region has differing latitude, longitude, and\nelevation. This causes the viewing angle to the Sun to vary. For\ninstance, areas in highland elevations often see sunset slightly later\nthan regions in valleys or behind mountains.<\/p>\n
As a result, Ramadan prayer and imsakiyah schedules in some cities\ncan differ by several minutes even within the same time zone. This\ndifference is normal and indeed accounted for in the preparation of\nprayer times and imsakiyah for each area.<\/p>\n
Another factor influencing the change in iftar time is the tilt of\nthe Earth\u2019s axis. The Earth\u2019s axis is tilted about 23.5 degrees relative\nto its orbital plane. This tilt causes the Sun\u2019s apparent position to\nmove higher and lower across the year, which in turn affects the length\nof the day.<\/p>\n
When the Sun appears higher in the sky, the length of the day\nincreases, so the Sun sets later. Conversely, when it is lower, the day\nis shorter and sunset comes earlier. This is why, as Ramadan approaches\nits end in some regions, the iftar time often feels slightly earlier\nthan in previous days.<\/p>\n
Moreover, the Earth\u2019s orbit is not perfectly circular. The orbit is\nelliptical, so the distance between the Earth and the Sun is not always\nthe same throughout the year. This difference in distance makes the\nEarth\u2019s speed in orbit vary slightly, which indirectly affects the time\nthe Sun reaches the horizon.<\/p>\n
The change in iftar time is also influenced by the calendar system\nused. The Hijri calendar used to determine Ramadan is based on the\nMoon\u2019s orbit, differing from the Gregorian calendar that follows the\nSun. Therefore, every year Ramadan advances by about 10 to 11 days in\nthe Gregorian calendar.<\/p>\n
Because of this drift, Ramadan can fall in different seasons from\nyear to year. If Ramadan occurs during a period with longer daylight\nhours, the fasting time feels longer. Conversely, when Ramadan falls\nduring a period with shorter days, the iftar comes earlier.<\/p>\n
Understanding these astronomical factors, changes in iftar time are\nreally normal. A shift of a few minutes each day is part of the dynamics\nof the universe, showing how human activity, including worship, is\nclosely tied to the movement of celestial bodies within the solar\nsystem.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/why-does-iftar-time-change-every-day-a-scientific-explanation-1772997335", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }