Question 106) - What is Shafaq?

A: If you look to the west after sunset you will find reddishness in the horizon which lasts 40 minutes and more. The reddishness gradually disappears and

is replaced with whiteness in the horizon. Both the redness and whiteness are called Shafaq. Imaam Abu Hanifa RA said that Shafaq applies to the white.

When the white disappears Maghrib ends and 'Isha begins. Imaam Abu Yusuf and Imaam Muhammed ~ said that the red is the Shafaq. When the red disappears

Maghrib ends and 'Isha begins.

~ al-Quduri ~