Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Clarification.
Walaikum assalam,
There are two opinions about Isha time in the Hanafi school:
1) The Imam’s opinion: Isha time comes in when the whiteness in the sky disappears. This represents the later time, and can lead to the “extremely late or no Isha in the northern latitudes” problem. It is however the sounder and generally more relied upon position in the Hanafi school, and should generally be adopted. This is the time mentioned on virtually all prayer timetables in the world.
2) The position of Abu Yusuf and Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, the two main students of our Imam, who were both absolute mujtahids (though they ascribed themselves to the school of their teacher): Isha time comes in when the redness in the sky disappears. This occurs much earlier. Here, in Jordan, it happens 40 to 55 minutes after Maghrib time comes in. This is also the position of the Shafii school. Many of the Hanafi imams deemed this position to be stronger, even saying that the fatwa was on this position, in all cases. The least common denominator, though, is that it is a sound position (even if we accept that the Imam’s position is sounder, safer and more precautionary regarding Isha time). This position can be followed if there is a need, such as the very late Isha timings that result from making people follow Imam Abu Hanifa’s position.
Wassalam.
Faraz Rabbani