Why do some Masjids pray later than others?

Question

Here in New York I notice that some Masjids (Especially the Pakistani one's) offer salah later than the other ones. Why is there prayer times different than what it should be?

Answer 1

I guess some Imams r lazier then others, lol.

Answer 2

Your response to Faraz says you are not interested  in  his highly valid answer, while others have given you truthful alternatives.

Islam, depending on who is counting, has 99 different sects, and each one has its own reasons for being different.

You should remember that being a Muslim definitely means following the Qur'an, but for almost everyone it also means following the practices of the sect to which they belong, and, since some masjids are used by different sects at different times,  obeying their imam.

Answer 3

While in bahrain i have noticed that shites pray at a different time

Answer 4

The differences between Imam Abu Hanifa (RA) & Imam Shafee (RA) in regards to the beginning of Asr Salah is based on their respective interpretations of the Quran and Hadith of the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam.

There were differences also between the companions of the Prophet on the beginning of Asr Salah thus, one should not assume the differences also between the great Imams as something wrong or deviated.

There are many hadiths which prove both Imam Abu Hanifa (RA) & Imam Shafee (RA) judgement on this issue:

1. Abdullah Bin Rafii Radiallahu Anhu asked Saaiduna Abu Hurayrah Radiallahu Anhu regarding the times of prayers. Saaiduna Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu replied, "I will tell you: When the length of your shadow (from the sun) is equal to your height then perform the Zuhr salah. When the length of your shadow becomes twice your height, perform the Asr salah...' (Muatta Malik p.5)

2. Saaiduna Abdullah Ibn Abbas Radiallahu anhu narrates that The Prophet of Allah Salallahu Alahi Wasalam said: Jibraael Alayhi Wasalam led me in prayer at the House (i.e. the Ka'bah). He prayed the noon prayer (Zuhr) with me when the sun had passed the meridian to the extent of the thong of a sandal; he prayed the afternoon prayer (Asr) with me when the shadow of everything was as long as itself; he prayed the sunset prayer (Maghrib) with me when one who is fasting breaks the fast; he prayed the night prayer (Ishaa) with me when the twilight had ended; and he prayed the dawn prayer (Fajr) with me when food and drink become forbidden to one who is keeping the fast. On the following day he prayed the noon prayer with me when his shadow was as long as himself; he prayed the afternoon prayer with me when his shadow was twice as long as himself; he prayed the sunset prayer at the time when one who is fasting breaks the fast; he prayed the night prayer with me when about the third of the night had passed; and he prayed the dawn prayer with me when there was a fair amount of light. Then turning to me he said: Muhammad, this is the time observed by the Prophets before you, and the time is anywhere between two times.' (Sunan Tirmizi p.38 v.1)

Only Allah Knows Best  

Answer 5

well it depends.

many pakistanis are shia, and many are sunni.  so are you referring to the time difference we have between shia and sunni? or are you asking about salaatul 'asr?

shias pray 5 prayers but 3 different times, and sunnis pray 5 prayers in 5 different times.

and salaatul 'asr is delayed in the hanaafi school of thought, and almost all south asians I know follows the hanaafi school of thought and therefore follows the delayed prayer time.  All the other schools of thought agree on this matter and prays the same time.  Roughly the difference is hanaafis say the shadow of the stick is to be doubled for it to be proper 'asr time, and others say it is b4 that.

Also the calculation method might be different in different masjids to be more or less different, sometimes it can be that the imaam is busy before that time, or it can be to suit the need of that community (i.e. i know in university masjids they accommodate the student's needs).

And I see that you told Faraz that we shouldn't have differences and we should follow the Qur'aan as directed us to do.  I don't understand why you said it, becuz he's showing why the hanafi school of thought understands the prayer time to be what it is with proof.  Then show your proofs also to explain why this isn't true.  

Answer 6

For Salatul Asr, there is a difference of opinion in the timing. The Hanafi Madhab has Asr at a later time than the other 3 Madhabs. Also, the timings for Jamaat may vary a little bit from masjid to masjid, usually only a difference of a few minutes.  

Answer 7

I'm not sure what the Islamic reason is, but maybe to target that particular community that attends that mosque. If the majority of that community is not available earlier in the day due to work or school, then they probably offer later services so everyone can make it.