The well-known position in the school is that ‘Asr shares Zuhr’s recommended time. This is clear from the hadith in which Gabriel led the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in prayer: on the second day, he led him in Zuhr at the same time at which he had led him in ‘Asr on the first day. Those who hold this position differ over whether ‘Asr shares Zuhr’s time at the end of the first shadow-length, or Zuhr shares ‘Asr’s time at the beginning of the second shadow-length. The more evident view is that ‘Asr shares Zuhr’s time at the end of the first shadow-length.
Maghrib begins at sunset and has a single prescribed time, beyond which it may not be delayed except by an interval such as that required to combine the two prayers for a traveller, a sick person, or because of rain. Another view holds that Maghrib may not be delayed beyond sunset for any of these excuses; rather, the two prayers are combined at sunset. A further view holds that its recommended time has both a beginning and an end, and that it ends when twilight disappears. Accordingly, Maghrib may be delayed until twilight disappears without an excuse. This is the apparent meaning of Mālik’s statement in his Muwatta’, although praying at the beginning of the time is better. Thus, there is consensus that it is better to offer Maghrib promptly at sunset.
The recommended time for ‘Ishā begins when twilight disappears—meaning, according to Mālik, the red glow—and ends when the first third of the night has passed, or, according to another view, when half the night has passed. In cases of necessity, the time for Maghrib and ‘Ishā extends until dawn. When there is a valid excuse, ‘Ishā shares Maghrib’s recommended time from sunset. It has also been said that an initial period sufficient for three units of prayer belongs exclusively to Maghrib, and that ‘Ishā does not share it.
The time for Fajr begins when dawn breaks: this is the second dawn, which spreads across the eastern horizon. As for the first dawn, called the false dawn and likened to a wolf’s tail, there is consensus that it neither permits the dawn prayer nor prohibits a fasting person from eating. Its time ends at sunrise,