Transparency
Our Sources & Methodology
Every major dataset has an identifiable source. We document them here.
TaqwaTools is committed to transparency in all Islamic content it provides. This page documents the primary sources, data providers, and methodologies used across the platform. Every major dataset has an identifiable source. Where recognised scholarly differences of opinion exist, we clearly state the methodology used and, where appropriate, allow users to choose between recognised scholarly opinions or calculation methods.
If you believe any source, reference, or information is inaccurate, please contact us at info@taqwatools.com. We continuously review and improve our content based on reliable scholarly evidence.
Prayer Times
| Content | Source / Provider | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Calculation engine | AlAdhan API (aladhan.com) | Prayer time calculations are provided through the AlAdhan API using recognised astronomical calculation methods adopted by established Islamic authorities. |
| Qibla bearing | Great Circle formula, referenced to True North | The calculated bearing is always mathematically accurate. Live compass uses the best available browser sensor API (DeviceOrientationAbsolute where available, which references True North). Some devices or browsers may provide only a magnetic north heading, which can differ from True North by a few degrees depending on location. Where this is detected, users are advised to switch to Chrome on Android or Safari on iPhone for best accuracy. Compass accuracy also depends on device sensor quality and nearby interference. |
| Calculation methods | University of Islamic Sciences, Karachi · Muslim World League (MWL) · Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) · Umm al-Qura University, Makkah · Egyptian General Authority of Survey · Institute of Geophysics, University of Tehran · Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı (Türkiye) · Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) | Each method applies the Fajr and Isha parameters defined by the respective authority. |
| Juristic method (Asr) | User-selectable | Hanafi: Asr begins when an object's shadow reaches twice its length (excluding the noon shadow). Standard (Shafi'i, Maliki, Hanbali): Asr begins when an object's shadow equals its length (excluding the noon shadow). |
| Regional defaults | Auto-selected based on location | Default methods are selected according to the user's location and regional practice. Users may change at any time. |
Zakat & Nisab
| Content | Source / Provider | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Nisab thresholds | Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ | Gold: 87.48 grams (7.5 tola). Silver: 612.36 grams (52.5 tola). Derived from authentic Prophetic traditions. |
| Zakat rate | Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ | 2.5% of eligible wealth held for one complete lunar year (Hawl), as established through authentic Prophetic traditions and accepted by the classical schools of Islamic jurisprudence. |
| Modern gram equivalents | Classical Islamic weight standards | Modern gram equivalents are derived from classical Islamic weight standards as interpreted by contemporary scholars. |
| Gold and silver prices | Verified spot price + ECB FX rates via frankfurter.app | Gold and silver USD spot prices are verified and updated each application release. Currency conversion uses live exchange rates from the European Central Bank (ECB) via frankfurter.app, updated every 6 hours. Users should verify current local market prices before finalising their Zakat calculation. |
| Exchange rates | frankfurter.app (European Central Bank) | Foreign exchange rates for 19 currencies — PKR, GBP, EUR, AED, SAR, MYR, IDR, BDT, INR, EGP, TRY, NGN, KWD, QAR, OMR, BHD, JOD, CAD, AUD, ZAR — sourced from the ECB via frankfurter.app. Free, no API key, updated every 6 hours. |
Islamic Calendar
| Content | Source / Provider | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Calendar calculation | AlAdhan API (aladhan.com) | Hijri dates are calculated astronomically. |
| Moon sighting | Not included | Actual month beginnings depend on moon sighting, which may vary by country and local religious authority. Calculated dates may differ from announced dates by one or two days. |
Islamic Names
| Content | Source / Provider | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Name meanings | Standard Arabic lexical sources | Meanings are based on Arabic etymology. |
| Name list | Compiled internally | 155 names with Arabic script, Urdu transliteration, meaning and origin. |
| Scholarly endorsement | Not implied | The inclusion of a name does not constitute a scholarly ruling on its permissibility or recommendation. |
Food Additive Checker
| Content | Source / Provider | Details |
|---|---|---|
| E-number database | Public regulatory specifications for food additives and manufacturer disclosure, principally the European Food Safety Authority additive specifications and the EU additive register | Covers the E100–E635 range. |
| What is recorded | Derivation only — what each additive is made from | Entries state origin (plant or mineral, microbial, synthetic, variable, animal, insect) and, where the source varies by producer, what to check on the packaging. No ruling on permissibility is issued. |
| Certification bodies | Listed for recognition only | Certification marks are shown so readers can identify them on packaging. TaqwaTools does not certify products and is not affiliated with any certifying body. |
Found an error or have a correction? Contact us at info@taqwatools.com. We welcome feedback from scholars, developers and knowledgeable users.