Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
I have a question regarding the Asr prayer. In the winter months the prayer times are very close together, and it is difficult to pray all your prayers on time, although I realise the great importance of doing so. I personally follow the Hanafi Madhab and I’ve read in the website that ‘in cases of need’, it is permitted to join a Shafi`i congregation who pray their Asr at an earlier time.
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate. May His abundant blessing and most perfect of peace be on His Beloved Prophet, the best of creation, and his family, companions and followers.
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
There is no problem with following the earlier Asr timeit is a valid position within the Hanafi schoolon condition that if one does so one must ensure to pray Zuhr before this earlier time enters.
Need would include: the congregation one attends praying at the earlier time, it being difficult in one’s circumstances to pray within the later time, fear of having to delay Asr to the end of the time (which is sinful), etc.
See attached answer(s).
Wassalam,