The short answer
| Ruling | No fixed limit in the Sunnah; the imam considers the worshippers |
|---|---|
| Maghrib | Best prayed shortly after the adhan |
| Saudi Arabia | Ramadan 1447 AH (2026): 15 minutes, stressed for Isha and Fajr (Ministry of Islamic Affairs) |
| Maldives | 2025: Fajr 15, Dhuhr 12, Asr 12, Maghrib 8, Isha 10 minutes (Ministry of Islamic Affairs) |
| On the Mawqet screen | Default: Fajr 25, Dhuhr 20, Asr 20, Maghrib 10, Isha 20 minutes, changeable for each prayer |
Is there a set time in the Sunnah?
No. Sheikh Abdulaziz ibn Baz said there is no fixed limit between the adhan and the iqamah: the imam prays sooner when the worshippers have gathered and waits when they are late. It is usually about a quarter or a third of an hour, or close to that. Maghrib is best prayed shortly after the adhan. (Ibn Baz, in Arabic)
There is nothing wrong with a mosque setting a fixed time for the iqamah, so people know when the prayer starts and do not miss it. (Islam Q&A)
Official intervals in some countries
Some ministries of Islamic affairs set the interval by circular, and it can change from year to year and by season. Two examples:
- Saudi Arabia, Ramadan 1447 AH (2026): the Ministry of Islamic Affairs set 15 minutes between the adhan and the iqamah, stressing Isha and Fajr. (Okaz, in Arabic)
- Maldives, 2025: the Ministry of Islamic Affairs set the same intervals for every mosque. (Edition.mv)
| Prayer | Maldives (2025) | Mawqet default |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr | 15 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Dhuhr | 12 minutes | 20 minutes |
| Asr | 12 minutes | 20 minutes |
| Maghrib | 8 minutes | 10 minutes |
| Isha | 10 minutes | 20 minutes |
The right interval for your mosque is the one your local religious authority sets, or the one your imam decides.
How to choose the iqamah time for your mosque
- Fajr usually needs the longest wait, as people come from sleep.
- Maghrib has the shortest, as the Sunnah is to pray it soon.
- Jumuah, Eid and Ramadan may have their own circulars; check before each season.
- A fixed time suits some mosques, such as Isha at the same time all month.
How to show an iqamah countdown on the mosque screen
On the free Mawqet screen, a large iqamah countdown appears after the adhan, readable from the back of the mosque:
- Press OK on the remote to open the settings.
- Under Times, set each iqamah as minutes after the adhan or as a fixed time.
- At the adhan the screen switches to the iqamah countdown, then to the adhkar after prayer.
Full steps are in the setup guide, and downloads on the download page.
Sources
- Sheikh Abdulaziz ibn Baz: the right interval between the adhan and the iqamah (Arabic)
- Okaz, 20 January 2026: Ministry of Islamic Affairs circular for Ramadan 1447 AH (Arabic)
- Edition.mv, 25 June 2025: Maldives standardizes the time between adhan and iqamah
- Islam Q&A (185568): setting a time for the iqamah
Frequently asked questions
How many minutes between Fajr adhan and iqamah?
There is no fixed number in the Sunnah. The Maldives set 15 minutes in 2025, and Saudi Arabia’s Ramadan 1447 AH circular set 15 minutes. The Mawqet screen’s default is 25 minutes, and you can change it.
How long between Maghrib adhan and iqamah?
Maghrib is best prayed shortly after the adhan. The Maldives set 8 minutes; the Mawqet default is 10 minutes.
Can a mosque set a fixed iqamah time?
Yes. There is nothing wrong with a mosque setting a known time for the iqamah so people know when the prayer starts.
Does the Mawqet screen show the iqamah time?
Yes. After the adhan a large iqamah countdown appears, and you set the wait for each prayer in minutes or as a fixed time in the settings.
