Frequently asked questions
Everything you might want to know about Noor and how it works.
Is Noor really free? How do you make money?
Yes — every tool on Noor is completely free, with no ads and no account required. We do not sell your data. The project is built as a service for the ummah; in the future we may accept voluntary donations to cover costs, but the tools will always remain free.
How are prayer times calculated?
We use the widely trusted adhan calculation library with your chosen method (Muslim World League by default, plus ISNA, Umm al-Qura, Egyptian, Karachi, Dubai, Singapore and Turkey Diyanet). Times are computed astronomically from your city's coordinates and shown in that city's local time zone.
Why do the times differ slightly from my local mosque?
Mosques may follow a different calculation method, apply manual adjustments of a few minutes, or use a fixed timetable. If the difference matters to you, switch the calculation method on the Prayer Times page to match your mosque's convention — and always follow your local mosque for congregational prayers.
What is Hanafi Asr and should I enable it?
Schools of Islamic law differ on when Asr begins. The Hanafi school places it later (when an object's shadow is twice its length), while the Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali schools place it earlier (shadow equal to its length). Enable the Hanafi Asr option if you follow the Hanafi madhab.
How does the Qibla finder work?
It calculates the great-circle bearing from your location (or a chosen city) to the Kaaba in Mecca, giving you the direction in degrees clockwise from true north. Point a compass north, then face the indicated angle. On phones, remember that magnetic north can differ slightly from true north.
Where do the Quran text, translations and audio come from?
The Arabic text (Uthmani script) and 15+ translations come from the open, public-domain Quran API project, and verse-by-verse recitations stream from the Islamic Network CDN with renowned reciters including Mishary Alafasy, Abdur-Rahman As-Sudais, Mahmoud Al-Husary and Abdul Basit.
Where is my prayer and fasting tracker data stored? Will I lose it?
By default, tracker data (prayer check-ins, streaks, fasting days, tasbih counts) is stored only in your browser on your device, so it does not transfer to a new device and is lost if you clear your browser data. If you create a free account and sign in, your prayer check-ins and streak are also saved to your account and sync across devices. Fasting and tasbih data currently stay on-device only.
Do I need an account to use Noor?
No. Every feature works without registration, login or personal information. Creating a free account is optional — it lets you sync your prayer tracking and streak across devices.
Are the Islamic calendar dates exact?
Hijri dates and event countdowns use the Umm al-Qura astronomical calendar, which is an estimate. Actual dates for Ramadan, the Eids and other observances depend on local moon sighting, so they may differ by a day.
How accurate is the Zakat calculator?
It follows widely accepted opinions: 2.5% of net zakatable wealth held for one lunar year, with the nisab threshold based on gold (85g) or silver (595g) at prices you can adjust. For complex situations such as pensions, property or business shares, consult a qualified scholar.
My city is not in the list. What can I do?
Use the location button — we will match you to the nearest supported city, which usually gives times within a minute or two. We are expanding city coverage; you can also tell us which city to add via the contact page.
How can I report a mistake or suggest a feature?
We would love to hear from you — send us a message through the contact page and we read every one.