When does the time for Maghrib salat finish? Is it true that you can offer Maghrib salat just before Isha if for some reason ( such as work ) you were not able to offer it on time?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
The time of Maghrib salat ends as soon as the time of Isha salat begins.
However, it is makrooh tahreemi (sinful and prohibited) to delay the Maghrib salat to the extent that stars begin shining abundantly in the sky. To delay it less than this is makrooh tanzeehi according to some jurists and permissible according to others; and to delay Maghrib salat to the extent that two rak’ats can be offered is permissible according to all the jurists.
You should offer the Maghrib salat as soon as the time sets in, even if you are at work.
Note:
The time of Isha salat starts upon the disappearance of red twilight (shafaq ahmar) from the sky. This happens when the centre of the sun is 15 degrees below the horizon according to the majority of the ulama of the Indian subcontinent. However, according to some ulama this happens when the centre of the sun is only 12 degrees below the horizon. Therefore, as a precaution, one must ensure to offer his Maghrib salat before this time (i.e. before the centre of the sun is 12 degrees below the horizon).
However, it is preferable to offer the Isha salat upon the disappearance of white twilight (shafaq abyad) from the sky. This happens when the centre of the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon according to the majority of the ulama of the Indian subcontinent. The Isha time given in most prayer timetables is according to this.
(See: Ahsanul Fatawa: 2/157-192)
However, it is makrooh tahreemi (sinful and prohibited) to delay the Maghrib salat to the extent that stars begin shining abundantly in the sky. To delay it less than this is makrooh tanzeehi according to some jurists and permissible according to others; and to delay Maghrib salat to the extent that two rak’ats can be offered is permissible according to all the jurists.
You should offer the Maghrib salat as soon as the time sets in, even if you are at work.
Note:
The time of Isha salat starts upon the disappearance of red twilight (shafaq ahmar) from the sky. This happens when the centre of the sun is 15 degrees below the horizon according to the majority of the ulama of the Indian subcontinent. However, according to some ulama this happens when the centre of the sun is only 12 degrees below the horizon. Therefore, as a precaution, one must ensure to offer his Maghrib salat before this time (i.e. before the centre of the sun is 12 degrees below the horizon).
However, it is preferable to offer the Isha salat upon the disappearance of white twilight (shafaq abyad) from the sky. This happens when the centre of the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon according to the majority of the ulama of the Indian subcontinent. The Isha time given in most prayer timetables is according to this.
(See: Ahsanul Fatawa: 2/157-192)
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Faizal Riza
21/11/2011