Praying Asr in Shafi time

Asalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu.

May peace be upon you and also the mercy of Allah (SWT) and his blessings be upon you.

Please answer my question in light of the Hanafi school of thought.

I am a Hanafi Muslim and prayer time for Asr starts at 3:35pm for Shafis, and 4:15pm for Hanafis.

1) Am I allowed to pray Zuhr between 3:35pm and 4:15pm (I know that it’s best to pray as early as possible but when I return home it’s 3:50pm).

2) Can I pray Asr at 3:35 (Shafi time) without congregation although I am a Hanafi.

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

1) The Zuhr salah performed until 4:15pm will be valid. If the Zuhr salah is delayed without any valid excuse, it will be makrooh (disliked).[1][2][3]

2) A Hanafi should adhere to the Hanafi timings for salah. The time 3:35 is Zuhr time according to the Hanafi mazhab. If one is in dire need to perform Asr according to the Shafi Asr time, for example, he is a musafir or he is in a Shafi congregation, then his Asr salah at that time will be valid.[4][5]

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Saad Haque

Student Darul Iftaa
New Jersey, USA 

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.