When can you pray maghrib until Hanafi?

Answered by Edward Huber

In the Hanafi school of thought, the prescribed time for Maghrib prayer lasts until the complete darkness of the night has arrived and the yellow twilight in the sky has disappeared. This means that the Maghrib prayer can be performed from the time when the sun has completely set until the darkness of the night has taken over and the yellowish glow in the sky has vanished.

The Hanafi scholars base their opinion on several hadiths and the understanding that the time for Maghrib prayer begins once the sun has set and ends when the darkness of the night has fully arrived. This is considered the most preferred and recommended time for performing the Maghrib prayer.

It is important to note that there can be variations in the interpretation of when exactly the darkness of the night begins and the yellow twilight disappears. Some scholars may consider it to be when the redness in the western sky has completely vanished, while others may consider it to be when the entire sky is devoid of any remaining light.

It is worth mentioning that while the majority of scholars adhere to the Hanafi school’s opinion on the timing of Maghrib prayer, there are some minority opinions as well. For example, in the Maliki school of thought, there is a view that the prescribed time for Maghrib prayer ends when the red thread has disappeared from the sky. This indicates a slightly earlier end time for Maghrib prayer compared to the Hanafi opinion.

In practical terms, it is advisable to perform the Maghrib prayer as soon as the sun has completely set and to avoid delaying it unnecessarily. This ensures that one has fulfilled the obligation of performing the prayer within its prescribed time and avoids any potential confusion or disagreement regarding the exact timing.

Personal experiences and situations can vary, but it is always recommended to consult reliable and knowledgeable scholars or refer to trusted Islamic resources for precise information on the timing of Maghrib prayer. This can help in ensuring that one’s worship is in accordance with the teachings of Islam and the understanding of the specific school of thought one follows.

According to the Hanafi school of thought, the prescribed time for Maghrib prayer lasts until complete darkness has arrived and the yellow twilight in the sky has disappeared. This is considered the most preferred and recommended time for performing the Maghrib prayer. However, it is important to note that there can be variations in the interpretation of when exactly the darkness of the night begins, and it is advisable to seek guidance from reliable sources for precise timing.