When does the time period for the noon prayer start and when does it end?

It is said that the noon prayer can be performed within fifteen to twenty minutes after the afternoon adhan is called without intending as a missed (qada) prayer? Is it true?

Dear Brother / Sister,

The time for the noon prayer starts at the time of zawal of the sun. That is, when the shadow of something on earth starts to lengthen toward the east on a sunny day is the beginning time of the noon prayer.

There are two narrations about the ending time of the noon prayer:

According to Abu Hanifa, the time for the noon prayer starts from the time of zawal and ends when the shadows of things become twice their length plus the fixed shadow length before zawal. This time is called asr ath-thani.  

According to Imam Muhammad, Imam Abu Yusuf and the imams of the other three madhhabs, the time of the noon prayer ends when the shadows of things become as long as their length. This time is called asr al-awwal.  

In that case, it is necessary to act cautiously taking these two different ijtihads into consideration. The noon prayer should not be delayed to the time of asr ath-thani as a precaution.

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