Asr Jama’ah with a Shafi Imam

Answered by: Alimah Nasima Umm Hamza

Question:

Assalamu Alaikum.

In my University, most of the students follow Shafi time for Asr Salah. I pray Asr Salah with the Shafis so that I can attend my lecture on time and also as I can pray with the congregation (as there are no Asr congregations during the Hanafi time for Asr). As a Hanafi myself, is it permissible in such a circumstance to pray with the Shafis so that I don’t miss the congregation? Or is it better for me to pray Asr alone when Asr for Hanafis commences?

JazakAllah Khair

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In The Name Of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

Answer:

There is a difference of opinion regarding the timing for Asr amongst Imam Abu Hanifah and his two students. Imam Abu Hanifah’s position is that Asr begins at mithlayn – when the shadow of an object is twice its length. His two students, Imam Abu Yusuf and Imam Muhammad hold the opinion that Asr begins at mithl (when the shadow is equal to the length of the object). This is also the opinion of the other 3 schools of thought. Imam Abu Hanifah’s opinion is the chosen opinion in the madhab, and the one we act upon.

However, in times of necessity, it will be permitted to follow the timing of the first mithl. Therefore, it would be permitted to follow the Asr congregational prayer behind a Shafi imam due to a need. [1]

Only Allah knows best

Answered by Alimah Nasima Umm Hamza

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham