One of the most common questions Muslims ask when using a prayer time app or looking at a mosque calendar is: "Why are there two different times for Asr?"

This difference stems from the diverse methodologies used by classical Islamic scholars to interpret Hadith and define the exact start of the afternoon prayer. Specifically, the difference is between the Hanafi school of thought and the Majority (Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali) schools.

How is Asr Time Calculated?

Historically, prayer times were calculated by observing the position of the sun and the length of shadows, rather than using mechanical clocks. The time for Dhuhr (the noon prayer) begins when the sun passes its zenith (highest point) and shadows begin to lengthen.

The time for Asr begins when the shadow of an object reaches a specific length relative to the object itself.

The Majority View (Shafi'i, Maliki, Hanbali)

According to the Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools of jurisprudence (Fiqh), the time for Asr begins when the length of an object's shadow becomes equal to the length of the object itself (plus the length of the shadow at noon).

This is often referred to as the "Standard" or "Earlier" Asr time. For example, if a 5-foot stick casts a 5-foot shadow, the time for Asr has officially begun according to the majority of scholars.

The Hanafi View

The Hanafi school of thought, founded by Imam Abu Hanifa, takes a different approach based on a specific set of Hadiths. According to the standard Hanafi ruling, the time for Asr does not begin until the shadow of an object becomes twice the length of the object itself (plus the noon shadow).

Because the sun has to drop lower in the sky for shadows to double in length, the Hanafi Asr time always starts later than the Shafi'i Asr time—often by 45 minutes to over an hour, depending on your geographic location and the season.

Which Time Should You Follow?

Both opinions are entirely valid within mainstream Sunni Islam and are supported by robust scholarly evidence. The best practice is to follow the predominant opinion of the community or mosque you pray with to maintain unity.

If you pray individually, you may choose to follow the school of thought you generally adhere to. However, scholars advise that you should not mix and match rulings arbitrarily. If you follow the Hanafi school, you must wait until the later time to pray Asr. If you follow the Shafi'i school, you must pray Dhuhr before the earlier Asr time begins.