Why in Asr salah there are differences between the Hanafi and Shafee fiqh

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Answer

The differences between Imam Abu Hanifa (RA) & Imam Shafee (RA) in regards to the beginning of Asr Salah is based on their respective interpretations of the Quran and Hadith of the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam.

There were differences also between the companions of the Prophet on the beginning of Asr Salah thus, one should not assume the differences also between the great Imams as something wrong or deviated.

There are many hadiths which prove both Imam Abu Hanifa (RA) & Imam Shafee (RA) judgement on this issue:

1. Abdullah Bin Rafii Radiallahu Anhu asked Saaiduna Abu Hurayrah Radiallahu Anhu regarding the times of prayers. Saaiduna Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu replied, “I will tell you: When the length of your shadow (from the sun) is equal to your height then perform the Zuhr salah. When the length of your shadow becomes twice your height, perform the Asr salah…’ (Muatta Malik p.5)

2. Saaiduna Abdullah Ibn Abbas Radiallahu anhu narrates that The Prophet of Allah Salallahu Alahi Wasalam said: Jibraael Alayhi Wasalam led me in prayer at the House (i.e. the Ka’bah). He prayed the noon prayer (Zuhr) with me when the sun had passed the meridian to the extent of the thong of a sandal; he prayed the afternoon prayer (Asr)  with me when the shadow of everything was as long as itself; he prayed the sunset prayer (Maghrib) with me when one who is fasting breaks the fast; he prayed the night prayer (Ishaa) with me when the twilight had ended; and he prayed the dawn prayer (Fajr) with me when food and drink become forbidden to one who is keeping the fast. On the following day he prayed the noon prayer with me when his shadow was as long as himself; he prayed the afternoon prayer with me when his shadow was twice as long as himself; he prayed the sunset prayer at the time when one who is fasting breaks the fast; he prayed the night prayer with me when about the third of the night had passed; and he prayed the dawn prayer with me when there was a fair amount of light. Then turning to me he said: Muhammad, this is the time observed by the Prophets before you, and the time is anywhere between two times.’ (Sunan Tirmizi p.38 v.1)

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham