Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
It only arises since we are approaching peak summer time now in England and looking at a timetable I obtained from a brother in the US (it is configured for our area – by means of Longitude / Latitude). Isha beginning time in May coincides with Fajr beginning time (subh-sadiq)
I have covered this Q with someone and they say that the ulema have noted that Isha has no beginning time in Summer since the brightness of the sky never actually goes away. The far beginning time starts coming earlier and we see that for example :
May 13th Maghrib is @ 8.01and beginning time of isha is 12.03am which is also the time for Fajr (?) Therefore to give isha a beginning time the Ulema have said that it is 1 and 1/2 hours after Maghrib and some say 1, 3/4 Hours after some 2 hours after !
What is your experience with this, does it effect you in Jordan. Do you know how the Ulemma have come to this decision.
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.
Apparently, measuring the disappearance of the redness from the sky is much more difficult to calculate (as it is generally not measured or recorded as a phenomenon), and is based primarily on visual observation.
As such, you should ask knowledgeable scholars who know about this issue on what basis were the “1.5 hours after Maghrib” or “2 hours after Maghrib” determinations based.
Aren’t there many scholars in Dewsbury? Ask Shaykh Ilyas Patel for advice. He is a man of knowledge, though he conceals himself behind veils of humility.
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani