Hanafi vs Shafi'i Asr
Asr can start at two genuinely different times depending on which madhab's shadow-length rule is used, a gap that typically runs 30 to 60 minutes. Both are correct calculations of two different, well-established conventions, not a mistake in one or the other.
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One shadow, two rules
The shadow-length rule
1x
Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali: Asr begins once the shadow is one object-length past its midday minimum
2x
Hanafi: Asr begins once the shadow is twice that length, pushing the start time later
Why the gap changes through the year
How quickly a shadow lengthens through the afternoon depends on the sun's angle in the sky. That angle changes with the season. When the sun sits higher, around the December solstice in Sydney, shadows grow slowly.
It takes longer to reach the Hanafi threshold, so the gap between the two Asr times widens. When the sun sits lower, around the June solstice, shadows lengthen faster and the gap narrows.
Both, never hidden
How this site handles it
Shafi'i by default
The same convention used by the Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali madhabs together.
Hanafi, one tap away
A visible toggle sits right on every page that shows prayer times, never buried in a settings menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much later is Hanafi Asr than Shafi'i Asr? +
The gap varies through the year and by latitude, typically landing somewhere between 30 and 60 minutes, with the largest gaps around the summer solstice in December, when shadows change length more slowly through the afternoon.
Which madhab does this site use by default? +
Shafi'i, because the same shadow-length rule is shared by the Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali madhabs. That covers the widest part of the community. A Hanafi toggle is available everywhere prayer times are shown on this site. Switching takes one tap.
How do I know which one applies to me? +
It follows the madhab you or your local mosque follows. If you're not sure, ask your local mosque or imam which convention they use for their own Asr time.