Why is there a difference in prayer time between Shia and Sunni?
The differences in prayer times between Shia and Sunni traditions stem from variations in the interpretation of certain Qur'anic verses and the practices established by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
In Surah Al-Israa, Allah commands, Establish worship at the going down of the sun until the dark of night, and (the recital of) the Qur'an at dawn
17:78. This verse indicates the significance of prayer times linked to the sun's position. Sunni scholars, as explained by Ibn Kathir, interpret the phrase "at the going down of the sun" to mean the time when the sun is setting, which encompasses the Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers. They emphasize the need to observe these prayers during the specified times, which are well-established in the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ (Tafsir Ibn Kathir).
On the other hand, Shia scholars, as noted in Majma al-Bayan, also acknowledge the importance of prayer times but highlight the significance of the Asr prayer, which they believe is particularly crucial because it occurs when people are often busy. They report that the Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever misses the 'Asr prayer, it is as if he has lost his family and property." The Shia view also includes specific narrations from the Imams, emphasizing the importance of proper timing for prayers.
Additionally, there is a difference regarding the practice of combining prayers. Sunnis typically pray each of the five daily prayers at their designated times, while Shia Muslims often combine the Dhuhr and Asr prayers as well as Maghrib and Isha prayers, which leads to fewer distinct prayer times throughout the day. This practice is based on interpretations of the Qur'an and hadith that allow for the combining of prayers under certain circumstances.
In summary, the differences in prayer times between Shia and Sunni traditions arise from varying interpretations of Qur'anic verses, hadith, and the practices of the Prophet ﷺ, leading to distinctions in how and when prayers are observed.
Sources
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17:78 · Al-Israa
17:78 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِدُلُوكِ ٱلشَّمْسِ إِلَىٰ غَسَقِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَقُرْءَانَ ٱلْفَجْرِ ۖ إِنَّ قُرْءَانَ ٱلْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًۭا
Establish worship at the going down of the sun until the dark of night, and (the recital of) the Qur'an at dawn. Lo! (the recital of) the Qur'an at dawn is ever witnessed.
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Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 17:78
Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 17:78
Allah commands His Messenger ﷺ to establish the prescribed prayers at their appointed times. The verse says, "Establish prayer at the declining of the sun," which has been interpreted to mean the time of its setting. Ibn Mas'ud, Mujahid, and Ibn Zayd held this view. Others, like Hushaym quoting Mujirah from Al-Sha'bi from Ibn Abbas, explain "declining" as the sun's departure or disappearance, a view also transmitted by Nafi' from Ibn Umar and by Malik in his tafsir from Al-Zuhri from Ibn Umar. This interpretation is favored by Abu Barzah Al-Aslami, Mujahid, Al-Hasan, Al-Dahhak, Abu Ja'far Al-Baqir, Qatadah, and chosen by Ibn Jarir. An authentic report from Jabir ibn Abdullah describes how the Prophet ﷺ invited his companions to a meal until the sun had declined (set). The Prophet ﷺ said, "Come out, Abu Bakr, this is the time when the sun has declined." This term includes the prescribed times for the five daily prayers: Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha, all taken from the period from the sun's decline until the darkness of night (ghasaq). The phrase "and the recital of the Qur'an at dawn" refers to the Fajr prayer. It is well-established in the Sunnah through abundant reports about the specific timings of these prayers, as practiced by the Muslim community continuously, passed down generation to generation, and this is the established practice. Regarding the phrase "Indeed, the recitation of dawn is witnessed," Al-A'mash reports from Ibrahim, on the authority of Ibn Mas'ud, and Abu Salih from Abu Huraira, that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "The recitation of the dawn prayer is witnessed by the angels of the night and the angels of the day." Al-Bukhari narrates on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Prophet ﷺ said: "The virtue of communal prayer over individual prayer is twenty-five degrees; the angels of the night and the angels of the day come together during the Fajr prayer." This report and others have been confirmed in Sahih Muslim, Tirmidhi, An-Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah, highlighting the virtue and the special attendance of angels at the dawn prayer. As for the instruction, "And at night, be awake for it as a voluntary prayer for you," this is a command to perform night prayer (Qiyam al-Layl) after the obligatory prayers, as is confirmed by authentic hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet ﷺ was asked: "Which prayer is best after the obligatory prayers?" He replied: "The night prayer." The term "voluntary for you" indicates that the night prayer is recommended and not obligatory upon the Prophet alone or universally. Though some scholars view it as specifically required for the Prophet ﷺ, the majority understand it as a voluntary act for the entire community. Finally, the verse says, "Perhaps your Lord will raise you to a praised station." This is interpreted by most commentators as the praiseworthy rank the Prophet ﷺ will occupy on the Day of Resurrection. Ibn Jarir explains that scholars see this as the rank in which the Prophet will stand to intercede for the people, relieving them by the permission of Allah from the tremendous trials and terrors of that Day. This position, called the Maqam Mahmud (Praised Station), has been confirmed by many authentic hadiths narrated by numerous companions and scholars. These narrations speak of the Prophet ﷺ being the first to be raised and intercede, with all creation recognizing his rank and authority, and of him being the first to cross the bridge over Hell and enter Paradise with his followers. The extensive hadith tradition details this praiseworthy station, its superior rank above all others, the intercession given exclusively to the Prophet ﷺ, and the unique honor he will have on the Day of Judgment. Thus, this verse commands establishing prayers timely, encourages night prayer, and foretells the exalted station granted to the Prophet ﷺ in the hereafter, confirming his special status and role in intercession for his Ummah and all creation.
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