Question Summary:
Theoretical and Shari’ Sunset

Question Detail:

Is there any difference between obervatory (theoritical ) sunset and sunrise and Shari sunset and sunrise ?
usually the theoritical sunset and sunrise are written in newspapers etc.
 
Mufti Saeed Ahmad Palanpuri Sahib stated that Shari sunrise is 2 minutes prior to observatory sunrise.
And Shari sunset is 2 minutes post observatory sunset.
Tohfatul Qari , Vol 2 , page 418
 
And moonsighting.com states that
Maghrib should be calculated at least as 3 minutes after theoretical sunset (reporetd in newspapers) for the following considerations: 1. The effects of actual humidity, temperature, and pressure in the atmosphere may cause a different refraction of sun light than assumed in calculations of theoretical sunset.2. In some areas there could be a downward sloping ground towards western horizon that causes a delayed sunset for an observer compared to a perfectly level ground as assumed in calculations of theoretical sunset. 3. For major metropolitan cities, the sunset in a 30 mile radius from the point assumed in calculation will vary. Since the people may live all around the city, this may delay sunset for some areas. These are the considerations for the 4 major Sunni school of thoughts.
 
What is askimam's view about this ?
Please answer this because it is very important in Fasting's breaking times relevance.
http://www.moonsighting.com/how-we.html

Answer :

Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Mufti Saeed Palanpuri (Madda Zilluhu) has stated in Tuhfatul Qari:
سورج  کا اوپر کا کنارہ چھپ جاۓ تب غروب ہوگا اور سورج کا اوپر کا کنارہ نکل آۓ تو طلوع ہوگيا یہ شرعي طلوع وغروب ہے اور آبزرویٹو طلوع وغروب اس وقت مانتي ہے جب مرکز شمس افق سے گزر جاۓ سورج خط افق سے چار منٹ میں
گزرتا ہے پس شریعت کے طلوع وغروب میں دو منٹ کا فرق ہوگا شرعي طلوع دو منٹ پہلے اور غروب دو منٹ بعد ہوگا
 
“When the upper end of the Sun disappears, the Shari’ sunset will occur. When the upper end of the Sun appears, the Shari’ sunrise will occur. And the “observatory” believes that Sunset and Sunrise will occur when the center of the Sun passes the horizon. The entire Sun passes the horizon in 4 minutes, hence there will be a difference of 2 minutes between the Shari’ sunset and sunrise (and “observatory” sunset and sunrise). The Shari’ sunrise will occur 2 minutes before the “observatory” sunrise and the Shari’ sunset will occur 2 minutes after the “observatory” sunset.
We are unaware of what Mufti Sahib (Madda Zilluhu) means by “observatory”. 
Sunset and sunrise are generally defined by astronomers as:
“Sunrise and sunset refer to the times when the upper end of the disk of the Sun is on the horizon”.[1]
Consider the following diagram:
 
This is the definition used for theorectical calculations of sunrise and sunset.[2] Also, the exact duration of sunset will vary depending upon the geographical location.[3]
 
However, it is true that in working out the times for sunrise and sunset, theoretical calculations involve assumptions based on ideal situations. This has been highlighted by http://www.moonsighting.com/how-we.html as stated in your query.
 
Considering this, we advise that caution is exercised.[4] According to Shari’ah, sunset or sunrise will occur when the upper end of the sun (القرن الأول) disappears or appears respectively.[5] Consider the following diagram:
 
You should follow the timetable made by the Ulama of your region.
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best 
Maaz Chati
Student Darul Iftaa
Blackburn, England, UK 
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai