❖ Determining the Accurate Times for Zuhr and Asr Prayers ❖
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil in the Light of Qur'an and Hadith, Volume 02
Question
There is a disagreement between Zayd and ʿAmr regarding the times for Zuhr and ʿAsr prayers.Zayd claims that the shadow of an object at noon towards the north should not be counted, and that the time for Zuhr ends—and ʿAsr begins—when the shadow becomes equal to the object towards the east.
ʿAmr, on the other hand, asserts that the time for Zuhr ends when the shadow—after removing the original shadow at noon (Fayʾ al-Zawāl)—equals the object. He adds that currently, the time of Zawāl begins after 12:30 PM and ʿAsr starts around 3:45 PM. Which of these two opinions is correct according to Ahl-e-Ḥadīth scholars?
✔ Answer
Zayd’s opinion is incorrect, and ʿAmr’s view is correct in light of Hadith and the consensus of scholars. The time for Zuhr ends when the shadow of an object, excluding the original shadow at Zawāl, becomes equal to the height of that object. This is when the time for ʿAsr begins.✿ Scholarly Evidence and Hadith Support
➊ Zuhr ends when the additional shadow (beyond Fayʾ al-Zawāl) equals the object.➋ ʿAsr begins at the same point—when the shadow excluding Fayʾ al-Zawāl matches the object’s length.
✦ Hadith Reference
In Abū Dāwūd, ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd (رضي الله عنه) stated that the Prophet ﷺ’s prayer timing in summer was based on a shadow of 3 to 5 steps and in winter 5 to 7 steps—indicating that Fayʾ al-Zawāl must be considered in calculating prayer times.✦ Imām Nawawī's Explanation
In Sharḥ Muslim, Imām Nawawī (رحمه الله) writes:"متى خرج وقت الظهر؟ عصير ظل الشيء مثله غير الظل الذي يكون عند الزوال"
"When the shadow of an object equals its height, excluding the shadow present at Zawāl, Zuhr ends and ʿAsr begins."
✿ Views of the Four Major Schools
➊ Ḥanafī Madhhab: Zuhr ends when shadow (excluding Fayʾ al-Zawāl) equals the object.➋ Shāfiʿī Madhhab: Same view—one shadow-length after subtracting Fayʾ al-Zawāl.
➌ Mālikī and Ḥanbalī Madhāhib: Also agree on the same method.
✦ How to Determine Fayʾ al-Zawāl
Place a straight stick vertically on the ground. When its shadow is shortest at Zawāl and begins to increase again, the shortest length is Fayʾ al-Zawāl. From that point, when the shadow becomes equal in length to the object, Zuhr ends and ʿAsr begins.✔ Conclusion
Zayd’s opinion is incorrect due to miscalculation of the shadow. ʿAmr’s view is accurate, aligning with Hadith and the consensus of scholars: the end of Zuhr and the beginning of ʿAsr is when the shadow equals the object excluding Fayʾ al-Zawāl.وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ
