Frequently asked questions
If your answer is not here, write to support@sahwa.net; we reply within two working days.
1. Is the app free?
Yes, completely free, now and always. No ads, no subscriptions, no paid features. Sahwa is a non-profit project whose purpose is to be useful to Muslims.
2. Why is there no account or sign-in?
Because you do not need one. Everything you read and save (reading position, bookmarks, completed azkar, prayer log) is stored on your phone. We ask for no name, email or phone number. Even the group khatma works with an invite link alone.
3. How are prayer times calculated, and how do I change the method?
In cities with an official timetable (Qatar and the UAE) the app applies the official schedule automatically. Elsewhere it calculates times astronomically with one of nine recognised methods (Umm al-Qura, Egyptian authority, Karachi, Muslim World League, ISNA and others), choosing the usual method for your country. To change it: Prayer > Settings > Calculation method. You can also set the Asr madhhab and a manual adjustment in minutes.
4. Are the Qatar and UAE times official?
Yes. Qatar's times come from the official timetable of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, and the UAE's from its official schedules. Both are applied automatically when you choose a city there, and the source is shown on the prayer-times screen.
5. How do I start a group khatma, and how do I join one?
To start: Khatma > New khatma, choose a name, the duration and how to split the Quran, then share the invite link on WhatsApp or anywhere else. To join: open the link you received; the app opens on the khatma and your portion is assigned, with no account. If the app is not installed, the link takes you to the store and then to the khatma.
6. The Adhan does not play, or notifications do not arrive. What do I do?
The usual cause is the phone stopping the app to save battery. Check: (1) notifications are enabled for Sahwa in the phone settings, and the Adhan category is not muted; (2) Sahwa is excluded from battery optimisation (Settings > Battery > Battery optimisation > Sahwa > Not restricted); (3) on Xiaomi, Huawei, Oppo and Samsung phones, enable "Autostart" or remove the app from the "Sleeping apps" list; (4) Do Not Disturb allows Sahwa's notifications. Then open the app once after the change.
7. Why is the Seerah not available in English?
The Seerah journey is built on Arabic texts and sources, and we have not yet completed an English translation that is verified to the standard we are happy with. We will not publish a machine-translated Seerah or one without sources. When the review is complete it will appear in the English app. It is currently available in Arabic and Urdu.
8. How do I add the home-screen widgets?
On Android: long-press an empty area of the home screen > Widgets > Sahwa, and choose the next-prayer widget, the prayer-times strip or the prayer tracker. On iPhone: long-press the home screen > + > Sahwa. The lock-screen prayer card is turned on from Prayer > Settings > Lock-screen card.
9. I found a mistake in an ayah, a hadith or a translation. How do I report it?
Write to support@sahwa.net with where the text is (surah and page, or the name of the dhikr or hadith) and a screenshot if possible. We review every report, correct the mistake in the next release, and say so in the release notes.
10. Can you add my language?
We add languages in the order people ask for them. Write to support@sahwa.net with the language, and tell us if you are willing to help review the translation. Languages available now: Arabic, English and Urdu.
11. How can I donate or help?
We do not accept donations at the moment; the app is non-profit and does not need your money. The best help is to share the app with your family and friends, start a group khatma with them, rate the app on the store, and tell us about any mistake you find. If you know an official body that publishes prayer timetables for your city, point us to it.