['Aalim Network QR] Salaat (Prayer) Time

["Akil M. Karim" <amk@io.org>]

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|       In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the All-Merciful       |\
|  Greeting of Allah be upon Muhammad and the pure members of his House |\
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Salamun `Alaykum

The following question was kindly answered by Br. Shaun.


Fee Amaanillah,

Akil Karim

---------- Forwarded message ----------

QUESTION:
     
The ahl-sunna usually perform their maghrib prayers earlier than us. What
about the Zuhr and Asr prayer? Can we pray at the same time as they do
i.e. is the timing stated on the prayer time sheets the time for
performance of the prayer or should we wait 12-15 mins to perform the
prayer? 
     
     
ANSWER:
     
Bismihi Ta'ala
     
1. Dhuhr Time: The starting point of the "Preferred Time" (Waqtul
   Fadheelah) for the noon prayer (Dhuhr/Zuhr) is from the Zawal till the 
   point of equal shadow. The Zawal is the point when the Sun crosses the 
   vertical point (i.e. at the Equator). Such that if an object is 
   vertically erected in the ground, its shadow begins to grow after being 
   minimized. 
     
   This is true for Imami and all 4 Sunni math-habs.
     
2. Asr Time: The starting point for the "Preferred Time" for Asr prayer
   is from the end of the Dhuhr preferred time till the shadow of an object 
   is twice its length. 
     
   The Imami Shi'a say that the preferred time also extends, from the 
   beginning, to start after one finishes the Dhuhr prayer. There are other 
   classifications for the non-preferred times for the Maliki and Hanbali 
   schools. 
     
3. Maghrib Time: The Preferred Time for the Maghrib prayer starts from
   Sunset till disappearance of redness from the western horizon. 
     
   The Imami Shi'a define Sunset to be disappearance of redness from the 
   Eastern sky, which is an indication that the Sun has set by its 
   reflection on the East.  Sunnis define Sunset as the disappearance of 
   the Sun below the horizon directly. 
     
4. Ishaa Time: Starts from the disappearance of redness in the West to
   half the night. Half the night is the mid point between Sunset and Fajr 
   points. While the Preferred Time is to the third of the night (Imamies, 
   Hanbalies and Malikies) The Imamies say that the Preferred time also 
   extends, from the beginning, to include an overlap with the Maghrib, once 
   one is finished with the Maghrib prayer. 
     
5. Subh Time: Starts with the True Dawn (al-Fajr al-Sadiq) till Sunrise. 
   The Preferred Time being whilst still dark (except Hanafies: Their 
   Preferred time is first light.)

          
It appears from the above that the only slight difference is in the start 
of Maghrib time due to the method of determination.  All other prayers 
start at the same time. 


NOTE: Sometimes Ahlul Sunna do Athan I'lami (informative Athan) a little
      ahead of time. This is done for the Subh prayer too, to give people 
      time to gather at the mosque.  It is OK with us to have Athan I'lami, 
      however, it must occur after the prayer time is entered** (e.g. Zawal 
      for noon prayer.)

** al-Urawatul Wuthqa, al-Yazdi, v1, Athan Chapter.
     
     
References:
     
1. al-Fiqh ala al-Mathahib al-Arba'a, al-Jizairi, v1, pp 199-205. 
2. Fiqh al-Sunna, Sayyid Sabiq, v1, pp 76-80.
3. al-'Urwathul Wuthqa, M. Kadhum al-Yazdi, v1, pp 386-392.
     
Wassalam,
     
Shaun Astarabadi