(#188)
Question
I actually had a question regarding asir time. Now when we were in Dubai, we didn’t even know about the time difference between shafi n hanfi n we all prayed at one time.
Now i understand we need to pray later because we are hanafi. But is it a problem if we pray like 15-20min before the hanafi sometimes? Sometimes, if it happens, let’s say, we are getting late to reach somewhere and so on.
Is there any flexibility around this?
Answer
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
حامدا و مصليا و مسلما
Muhtaramah
We have received your query regarding Asr Salaah time, our response is as follows:
One will need to pray in the Hanafi time if one follows the Hanafi school of thought, unless one is in a situation wherein one has no option i.e. a country which is predominantly Shafi’ee.
Please refer to the following answer which was answered by the Darul Ifta on a similar question:
If a person happens to be in such a place which is predominantly a Shafi area and there is no Hanafi Masjid, then rather than performing Salaat alone one should read Salaat with Jamaat at the Shafi Masjid even though Asr Salaah is read early (i.e. as soon as the time of Asr starts according to Shaafi’ee Madhab). Similarly, due to certain circumstances one may read Asr Salaat in the Shafi time e.g. if one intends leaving on an urgent journey (before the Hanafi times sets in) and one may not get a suitable place on the way to stop over for Asr Salaah in Hanafi time, or whilst on Hajj (where one has to perform Salaah behind the Imaams of the Haramain) or while on a journey, etc.
However, in the case where there are Hanafi Masaajid found then under normal situations, one should not perform the Asr Salaah before the starting of the Hanafi time as it will be tantamount to discarding the preferred view of the Madhab of Imaam Abu Hanifa rahmatullahi alaihi. والله اعلم
Therefore, if there is a Hanafi Masjid in your nearby precincts, or there is a Shafi’ee Masjid wherein Asr Salaah takes place a little later (after the Hanafi time sets in), then you should go and perform your Salaah there.
(Ref: Vol.2 Pg.9 Shaami; Vol.1 Pg.300 footnote:4 Sharhul Wiqaya; Vol.2 Pg. 93 Fataawa Mahmoodiyya- Fatawa Rahimiyah, Vol: 3, Pg: 26, Kifayatul Mufti, Vol: 3, Pg: 24Ref: Fatawaa Mahmoodiya 336-340/5)
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Answered by
Muhammad Irshad Motara
8th Jumadul Awl 1445
22nd November 2023
