Sources & Methodology
Islamic knowledge is a sacred trust (أمانة). We believe in complete transparency: every calculation, Quranic verse, Hadith narration, and historical record in Noor-e-ilahi is traced to authentic, verifiable sources.
Authentic Scripture & Sunnah
Textual integrity from King Fahd Qur'an Complex and Kutub al-Sittah Hadith collections with canonical reference numbering.
Astronomical Solar Equations
Transparent celestial mathematics matching recognized Islamic authorities (Umm Al-Qura, MWL, ISNA, Karachi, Egyptian Survey).
No Synthetic Inventions
Never invent or assume. When accounts differ or data is unverified, we explicitly label it: "Historical accounts vary" or "Under review".
1.Core Content Principle (Amanah)
NOOR operates on an unyielding editorial rule:
We do not use synthetic AI generation to produce fabricated Hadiths, unverified historical claims, imaginary shrine chronologies, or unverified religious rulings. If an inscription, date, or attribution is not definitively verified in primary literature, we state:
- "According to local tradition..."
- "Historical accounts vary regarding this date..."
- "Source information currently under editorial review."
2. Qur'an Scripture & Calligraphy
The divine text of the Noble Qur'an is presented with the highest standards of preservation:
Arabic Text: Rendered in the verified Madinah Mushaf Uthmani Calligraphy (Riwayah of Hafs 'an 'Asim) verified against the standards of the King Fahd Glorious Qur'an Printing Complex in Madinah.
Translations: High-fidelity scholarly translations including Saheeh International, Dr. Mustafa Khattab (The Clear Quran), Maulana Fateh Muhammad Jalandhari (Urdu), and regional language editions.
Audio Recitations: Authorized streaming recordings of world-renowned reciters, including Sheikh Mishary Rashid Alafasy, Sheikh Abdul Basit Abdul Samad, Sheikh Abdur-Rahman As-Sudais, and Sheikh Saad Al-Ghamdi.
3. Hadith & Duas (Hisn al-Muslim)
Every supplication and Hadith in Noor-e-ilahi includes its full provenance and scholarly grading:
- Hisn al-Muslim (Fortress of the Muslim): Based on the authentic compilation of Shaykh Sa'id bin Ali bin Wahf al-Qahtani.
- Canonical Hadith Collections: Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abi Dawud, Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Sunan an-Nasa'i, and Sunan Ibn Majah.
- Grading: Where available, Hadith gradings (Sahih, Hasan) according to classical Hadith scholarship (Imam al-Tirmidhi, Hafiz Ibn Hajar, Shaykh al-Albani) are documented.
- No Fabrications: Weak (Da'if Jiddan) or fabricated (Mawdu') narrations are strictly excluded.
4. Prayer Times & Astronomical Engine
Prayer times are computed using celestial solar position algorithms, calculating the exact moment the sun reaches specific depression angles below the horizon:
| Authority / Method | Fajr Angle | Isha Angle / Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Umm Al-Qura University (Makkah) | 18.5° | 90 min after Maghrib (120 min in Ramadan) |
| Muslim World League (MWL) | 18.0° | 17.0° |
| Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) | 15.0° | 15.0° |
| Univ. of Islamic Sciences, Karachi | 18.0° | 18.0° |
| Egyptian General Authority of Survey | 19.5° | 17.5° |
Adherence to Local Mosque: Astronomical timetables provide high mathematical precision. However, believers praying in congregation (Jama'ah) should always adhere to their local masjid’s established schedule.
5. Qibla Bearing & Great-Circle Azimuth
The direction towards the Holy Kaaba in Makkah al-Mukarramah (21.4225° N, 39.8262° E) is determined using the spherical trigonometric Forward Azimuth Formula:
Our compass combines gyroscope sensor readings with an Exponential Moving Average (EMA) filter and a deadband threshold to prevent jitter while maintaining instant responsiveness.
6. Hijri Calendar & Moon Sightings
The Hijri lunar calendar in Noor-e-ilahi is based on the Umm al-Qura astronomical lunar calendar. Because Islamic months commence with the physical or verified sighting of the nascent crescent moon (Hilal), dates may differ by ±1 day depending on your geographic region and local Hilal committee announcements.
7. Zakat & Nisab Calculations
Our Zakat calculator serves as an educational estimation utility adhering to standard Shariah parameters:
- Gold Nisab Benchmark: 85 grams of 24k gold (or 7.5 tola).
- Silver Nisab Benchmark: 595 grams of pure silver (or 52.5 tola).
- Obligatory Rate: 2.5% (one-fortieth) applied to eligible surplus wealth held for one full lunar year (Hawl).
For intricate fiqh situations—such as complex corporate share vesting, commercial real estate development, or mixed debt obligations—users are advised to consult a qualified local Islamic scholar or mufti.
8. Ziyarat & Historical Heritage
Our directory of 31+ historical Islamic shrines, mosques, and heritage sites spans Makkah, Madinah, Jerusalem, Baghdad, Najaf, Karbala, Cairo, Damascus, Delhi, Ajmer, Gulbarga, and Istanbul.
We maintain a strict neutral tone: avoiding exaggerated claims ("supreme sanctuary", "greatest", "premier") and ranking of holy sites. Instead, each profile documents:
- Historical chronicle references (Ibn Kathir, Al-Dhahabi, Tabari, contemporary Waqf records).
- Distinction between documented history and traditional regional attribution.
- Verified GPS coordinates, visiting hours, and annual Urs conventions.
9. Media Licensing & Copyright
We do not assume that images found online are free to use. All visual and media assets are governed by verified licensing:
- Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons (CC BY, CC BY-SA) with full attribution.
- Public Domain (CC0) and historical archival photography.
- Authorized original NOOR photography and UI assets.
- Live Haramain video feeds embedded directly from official satellite broadcast partners via YouTube.
10. AI Information Assistant Guidelines
Ask NOOR is an AI-powered Islamic information assistant designed for discovery and search across verified Islamic knowledge. It operates under strict guardrails:
Informational Only: Ask NOOR does not issue religious fatwas or binding rulings.
Scholarly Disagreement: Where fiqh opinions differ among the classical Madhabs, the assistant is instructed to state: "Scholarly opinions differ on this matter."
Citation Transparency: Answers prioritize direct references to Qur'an ayahs, Sahih Hadiths, and documented classical commentaries.
11. Corrections & Scholarly Review
We view scholarly feedback and community peer review as essential to our platform. If you discover a typographical error, timing discrepancy, incorrect GPS location, or disputed reference:
Report a Correction or Issue
Our editorial team reviews all submissions against canonical Islamic literature within 48 hours.