The Times of Salaah (4/5)

Maghrib sets in after the sun has set. The entire disk of the sun must have disappeared, it must have set. This is of paramount importance. We must not delay the Maghrib Salaah. “The Ummah will remain in goodness as long as they make haste with their Maghrib salaah.” Therefore we must strive to read it as soon as possible. All the Ulama agree that there be haste in this. It is important to take cognizance of the time in Ramadaan. At the time of sun set when it is the azaan, it is permissible to spend three or four minutes after to make iftaar. Some Masaajid wait 10 or 15 minutes to pray the salaah after the azaan. This is makrooh as there cannot be a big gap between the azaan and the Maghrib Salaah. Maghrib ends when the redness on the horizon disappears. This is 60 to 75 minutes after the sun sets depending on the region. The Shafis, Malikis and Hanbalis, majority of the scholars agree on this including Imam Abu Hanifah’s RA two best students are in agreement with this. Imam Abu Hanifa RA says after the redness there is whiteness on the horizon. When that whiteness disappears Maghrib expires. But the Fatwa is that once the redness disappears, Maghrib time expires.