Assalamualaikum,
Every phone application shows multiple calculation methods for namaz timings under Hanafi school of thought, Which one should we use? Secondly, if a masjid follows other then hanafi where Isha time starts before the actual start timing hanafi, can we pray with such Imam in this case ?
JazakAllah,
الجواب وباللہ التوفیق
The actual calculation of timings is done with the علامات سماویہ heavenly signs which are mentioned in the Qur’an and Hadith and in the book of Fiqah and with these signs the applications and softwares are delevoped. Now one who is not familiar of these signs he is forced to depend on and takes help from these softwares. One point should be clear here that all the softwares or applications or جنتریاں almanacs are all estimated and based on assumptions, are not definite and absolute, i.e., the timings written in them are not 100% definite and absolute, these tools just provide benefit of convenience and dominant assumption. Today there is guidance available on the internet for the correct timings for every place in the world and the timings of salat for every place can easily be found out, and from the department of meteorology the research can be done in these issues, therefore, one should contact some religious madrasah or اہل حق معتبر (righteous credible reputable) scholars for these issues and practice according to the schedule and research told by them.
(مستفاد: فتاویٰ محمودیہ ۹؍۷۱-۷۳ میرٹھ)
As far as the issue of praying Ishaa salat behind someone before its time enters then in this situation it will not be correct for a حنفی مقتدی Hanafi follower to pray salat before its time enters, he should wait for some time, if some companions gather they should pray salat with Jama’at in the courtyard of the Masjid etc. otherwise pray salat olone.
فینبغي الاعتماد في أوقات الصلاۃ وفي القبلۃ علی ما ذکرہ العلماء الثقات في کتب المواقیت، وعلی ما وضعوہ لہا من الآلات کالربع والاصطرلاب، فإنہا و إن لم تفد الیقین، تفید غلبۃ الظن للعالم بہا، وغلبۃ الظن کافیۃ في ذٰلک۔ (شامي ۱؍۴۳۱ کراچی)
واللہ اعلم بالصواب،