Seoul Prayer Times Today — Accurate Fajr Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Schedule for Muslims in Seoul South Korea

Seoul Prayer Times Today — Accurate Fajr Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Schedule for Muslims in Seoul South Korea
Knowing the exact Seoul prayer times today is essential for every Muslim living in or visiting South Korea’s capital. Because Seoul sits at latitude 37.5 degrees north, the five daily salat times shift noticeably across seasons — summer dawn can arrive before 3:30 AM while winter Fajr may not begin until nearly 5:50 AM. This all-in-one guide provides the complete daily prayer schedule for Seoul with accurate Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha timings, along with mosque locations, calculation methods, and practical tips to help you never miss a prayer.
Today’s Five Daily Prayer Times in Seoul
The following table presents the standard prayer schedule for Seoul, South Korea. Times are approximate and shift by several minutes each day. For the most precise minute-by-minute schedule, always verify against a reliable prayer time app or the Korea Muslim Federation monthly timetable.
| Prayer | Arabic | Approximate Time Window | Trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fajr (Dawn) | فجر | 3:30 AM — 5:50 AM | True dawn appears on the eastern horizon |
| Dhuhr (Midday) | ظهر | 12:25 PM — 12:40 PM | Sun passes the meridian and begins to decline |
| Asr (Afternoon) | عصر | 3:50 PM — 5:30 PM | Shadow of an object equals its length |
| Maghrib (Sunset) | مغرب | 5:20 PM — 8:00 PM | Sun disappears below the horizon |
| Isha (Night) | عشاء | 7:00 PM — 9:45 PM | Twilight redness fades from the sky |
In summer months (June through August), Maghrib in Seoul may not arrive until close to 8:00 PM, while Isha extends past 9:30 PM. Conversely, winter evenings push Maghrib back to around 5:15 PM and Isha to roughly 6:55 PM. These wide seasonal swings are the primary reason Muslims in Seoul must update their daily prayer schedule regularly rather than relying on a single fixed timetable.
How Seoul Prayer Times Are Calculated
Islamic prayer times are determined by the position of the sun relative to the observer’s location. Each salat has a defined astronomical boundary, and scholars derive these boundaries from the sun’s altitude or depression angle below the horizon.
Fajr Calculation Standards Used in Korea
Two major calculation standards are commonly referenced in South Korea:
- ISNA (Islamic Society of North America): Uses a sun angle of 15 degrees below the horizon for Fajr. This produces earlier Fajr start times.
- MWL (Muslim World League): Uses a sun angle of 18 degrees below the horizon for Fajr. This is the standard most commonly adopted in Korea.
The Korea Muslim Federation generally follows the 18-degree convention, meaning Fajr begins when the sun is 18 degrees below the eastern horizon. Dhuhr starts at solar noon (when the sun crosses the meridian), Asr begins when a vertical object’s shadow equals its own length plus the noon shadow, Maghrib starts immediately after sunset, and Isha begins once the red twilight glow has fully disappeared from the western sky.
Why Fajr and Maghrib Vary So Dramatically in Seoul
Seoul’s position at roughly 37.5 degrees north latitude creates substantial variation in dawn and sunset times across the year. At this latitude, the earliest summer sunrise occurs around 5:15 AM while the earliest Fajr can start as early as 3:15 AM. In deep winter, Fajr may not begin until 5:45 AM and Maghrib arrives as early as 5:15 PM. Understanding this astronomical reality helps explain why a static prayer timetable is insufficient — daily or at minimum monthly updates are necessary.
Seoul Central Mosque — Location and Prayer Schedule
The Seoul Central Mosque is the primary Islamic worship center in South Korea and the most well-known mosque in Seoul. It serves as the hub for the five daily congregational prayers and the weekly Friday Jumu’ah prayer.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Seoul Central Mosque (서울 중앙성원) |
| Address | 39 Hannam-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (Hannam-dong) |
| Nearest Subway | Line 6 Hannam Station, Exit 2 (approximately 10 minutes walk) |
| Bus Stops | Hannam-dong Seoul Central Mosque stop (routes 400, 402, and others) |
| Operating Hours | Open daily from Fajr through Isha; Friday Jumu’ah begins at 11:30 AM |
| Parking | Limited on-site parking available; public parking lots nearby when full |
| Phone | +82-2-793-6908 |
| Special Feature | Built in 1976, it is the first purpose-built mosque in Korea with two traditional minarets |
▶ View Seoul Central Mosque on Naver Map
Other Prayer Spaces in Seoul
Beyond the Seoul Central Mosque, Muslims in Seoul can find prayer facilities in several locations across the city:
- Itaewon area: Multiple halal restaurants near the mosque offer designated prayer corners with qibla direction marked.
- Gangnam area: Some office buildings contain multi-faith prayer rooms accessible to Muslim employees and visitors.
- Incheon International Airport: A dedicated prayer room is available in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 for travelers who need to pray upon arrival or before departure.
- University campuses: Several Seoul universities, including Korea University and Yonsei University, maintain small prayer rooms for Muslim students.
Friday Jumu’ah Prayer in Seoul
The weekly Friday congregational prayer is the most well-attended Islamic gathering in Seoul. At the Seoul Central Mosque, the khutbah (sermon) typically begins at 11:30 AM, and the congregational prayer follows around 12:30 PM. On Fridays, the surrounding streets in Hannam-dong can become congested due to the large number of worshippers, so arriving early and using public transportation is strongly recommended.
Friday Jumu’ah Schedule Comparison
| Mosque Location | Khutbah Start | Prayer Start | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul Central Mosque | 11:30 AM | 12:30 PM | Large (multi-floor) |
| Incheon Islamic Center | 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM | Medium |
| Busan Islamic Center | 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM | Medium |
Prayer Time Differences Across Korean Cities
Muslims living outside Seoul often wonder how much their local prayer schedule differs from the capital. Because Korea stretches roughly 300 kilometers from north to south, the time differences are small but measurable:
- Incheon: Virtually identical to Seoul (1 to 2 minutes difference)
- Busan: Fajr approximately 5 to 10 minutes earlier than Seoul; Maghrib 5 to 8 minutes earlier
- Daegu: About 3 to 7 minutes earlier than Seoul across all prayers
- Daejeon: About 2 to 4 minutes difference from Seoul
- Gwangju: Fajr approximately 3 to 5 minutes earlier than Seoul
These variations occur because the sun rises and sets earlier at more eastern and southern longitudes and latitudes within Korea’s borders. If you travel between cities frequently, consider setting your prayer app to auto-detect your location so it always displays the correct local schedule.
Practical Tips for Praying on Time in Seoul
Using Prayer Time Apps with Seoul Location
The most reliable way to stay on schedule is to install a dedicated prayer time application and set your location to Seoul. Popular options include Muslim Pro, Athan by IslamicFinder, and Muslim Qibla Finder. These apps update daily, adjust automatically for daylight saving transitions, and send adhan notifications directly to your phone so you never miss the start of a prayer window.
Praying While Traveling Through Seoul
- On the subway: Seoul Metro stations are generally quiet enough to find a corner for a brief prayer, especially for Maghrib or Isha during off-peak hours.
- In hotels: Most Seoul hotels have enough floor space in the room for a prayer mat. Use a qibla finder app to determine the correct direction toward Mecca from your specific room.
- At the airport: Incheon International Airport provides dedicated prayer rooms with ablution (wudu) facilities in both terminals, open 24 hours.
- Combining prayers while traveling: Islamic jurisprudence permits combining Dhuhr with Asr, and Maghrib with Isha, during genuine travel conditions, which can help when transit schedules conflict with prayer windows.
Halal Dining Near Seoul Central Mosque
The Hannam-dong and Itaewon neighborhoods surrounding the Seoul Central Mosque host the largest concentration of halal-certified restaurants in South Korea. Turkish, Pakistani, Indonesian, Malaysian, and Indian cuisine are all readily available, making it convenient to eat halal immediately after completing your prayers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Seoul Prayer Times
What time is Fajr prayer in Seoul today?
Fajr time in Seoul changes daily depending on the season. In summer it can begin as early as 3:30 AM, while in winter it may not start until 5:50 AM. The exact start time is determined by when the sun reaches 18 degrees below the eastern horizon. Checking a prayer time app set to Seoul is the fastest way to find today’s precise Fajr time.
How do I find the qibla direction from anywhere in Seoul?
The qibla direction from Seoul points approximately southwest, at roughly 252 degrees on a compass. You can determine the exact bearing by using a qibla finder app on your smartphone, or by locating the qibla markers commonly placed on the walls of prayer rooms in mosques, airports, and hotels throughout Seoul.
Can non-Muslims visit the Seoul Central Mosque?
Yes, the Seoul Central Mosque welcomes non-Muslim visitors outside of prayer times. Visitors should remove their shoes before entering, dress modestly, and maintain a quiet demeanor. Headscarves are provided at the entrance for female visitors. The mosque grounds include a small Islamic cultural center and a halal food market on the lower level.
Why are Seoul prayer times different from Middle Eastern countries?
Prayer times depend entirely on the sun’s position relative to the observer’s geographic coordinates. Seoul is located at approximately 37.5 degrees north latitude, which is significantly farther north than most Middle Eastern cities (typically between 24 and 33 degrees north). This latitude difference causes Seoul’s Fajr to arrive relatively early in summer and Maghrib to be notably late, while the opposite pattern occurs in winter.
What is the best way to receive daily Seoul prayer time notifications?
Setting up a prayer time app with push notifications for adhan alerts is the most convenient method. Muslim Pro and Athan are the most widely used apps in Korea. Alternatively, the Korea Muslim Federation publishes a monthly prayer timetable on its official website that you can print or save on your device for offline reference.
Where can I find prayer rooms at Incheon International Airport?
Incheon International Airport has dedicated multi-faith prayer rooms in both Terminal 1 (near Gate 30) and Terminal 2 (near Gate 250). Each prayer room includes separate areas for men and women, wudu (ablution) facilities, prayer mats, and qibla direction clearly marked on the wall. These rooms are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Staying consistent with your five daily prayers while living in or visiting Seoul requires awareness of the shifting sunrise and sunset times that govern each salat window. Bookmark this guide, set up a reliable prayer time app, and locate the nearest mosque or prayer room to your daily route. Whether you are performing Fajr before dawn or catching Isha after a late evening, Seoul offers the facilities and community support to help you maintain your daily worship without interruption.
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Plan transport and prayer time together
Before you leave for a mosque or halal restaurant, use this practical T-money guide to plan public-transport travel in Korea.
To choose a prayer location after checking the time, find mosques and prayer rooms across Korea and confirm current details with the operator.
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