Dr. Ahmad Irfan creates iLocSolat Mobile App for the next-generation prayer time calculation

GAMBANG, 10 October 2023 - Dr. Ahmad Irfan Ikmal Hisham, a Senior Lecturer at the Center for Human Sciences (PSK), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), has developed the iLocSolat Enhanced Geotagging Based Prayer Time Smart Application, which is a next-generation mobile application for prayer time calculation. 

According to the Selangor born individual, prayer times were previously determined based on prayer time zones.

"For example, in Paya Besar, we were subject to Zone 2, which includes Kuantan, Pekan, Rompin, and Muadzam Shah.

"The calculation of prayer times was based on the westernmost reference point in that Zone, which is Cempaka, Rompin.

"The drawback of this method is that, in practice, prayer times in the eastern areas like Kuantan come earlier, sometimes as much as seven minutes earlier than the official zone time," he said.

He further explained that one of the practical consequences is the noticeable time difference between areas near state borders.

"The most significant difference is in Tanjung Gemok, Rompin, where prayer times according to Zone 2 representing that area are delayed by up to five minutes compared to the Johor border in Mersing.

"This research started in 2019 when it received FRGS funding.

"In 2023, it reached TRL8 (Technology Readiness Level 8).

"The research began when there were complaints from the residents of Tanjung Gemok about the time difference between their area and Mersing," he stated.

Dr. Ahmad Irfan pointed out that the confusion heightened, especially during the month of Ramadan, involving Suhoor and Iftar times.

Therefore, the Mufti of Pahang State, Sohibul Samahah, Yang Hormat Dato’ Seri Dr. Abdul Rahman Osman, came up with the idea to address the concerns of Tanjung Gemok residents.

"I was assisted by Associate Professor Dr. Mansor Sulaiman, Dr. Tuan Sidek Tuan Muda, and research assistant Afiq Adli Razali.

"This research involved collaboration with the Pahang State Mufti Department, the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (JUPEM), the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), the Selangor State Mufti Department, and scholars in Islamic astronomy from across Malaysia," he explained.

He further elaborated that iLocSolat utilizes GPS and geotagging technology within modern smartphones.

"The system tracks your location and calculates accurate prayer times.

"Users can compare it with the official times according to the Zone.

"This research will help Muslims pray at the right time, avoid prayer time confusion in border areas between two states, and reduce the reliance on printed prayer time tables by zone," he said.

For now, he mentioned, the application is primarily for academic and celestial research purposes.

"We are working to obtain recommendations and views from the Pahang State Syariah Legal Consultative Committee to facilitate the gradual application of this technology in mosques and for the general public.

The development cost for the iLocSolat self-custom application varies by agency or company, approximately RM20,000.00.

"I hope that religious institutions can provide insights on how this technology can be used by the public in stages.

"This includes proposals for usage guidelines, terms, and the like.

"Other patented products include iFalak and iMawaqit," he added.

For the record, Dr. Ahmad Irfan, who specializes in the fields of astronomy, Sharia, and Hadith, has previously won a gold medal at the Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE) 2023, a gold medal at the Creation, Innovation, Technology, and Research Exposition (CITREX) 2022, and another gold medal at the International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2021.

By: Safriza Baharuddin, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, UMP Career Centre (UMPCC)