Why Asr is different in Hanafi and Shafiʼi schools

A short, sourced explainer on the two Asr time conventions, the shadow-length rule behind each, and how QiblaWeb lets you switch between them.

Asr time depends on the length of an objectʼs shadow relative to its noon shadow. Two conventions are used:

Standard (Shafiʼi, Maliki, Hanbali): Asr begins when the shadow length equals the objectʼs height plus its noon shadow. (factor = 1)
Hanafi: Asr begins when the shadow length equals twice the objectʼs height plus its noon shadow. (factor = 2)

Practical effect

The Hanafi Asr starts later than the standard Asr — typically by 25 to 90 minutes depending on latitude and season. It still ends at the same moment (sunset).

How to choose

Follow the practice of your local community and madhhab. On QiblaWeb city pages you can switch the Asr school in the methodology selector to see both timings side by side.

Source

Shadow-factor rule summarized from AlAdhan — Prayer calculation methods (retrieved 2026-05-09).