The Asr Prayer

The Asr Prayer:

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith (Hadith 4.335)

That Allah's Apostle used to offer the 'Asr prayer while the sun was still shining in his Hujra (i.e. his dwelling place).

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith (Hadith 1.568)

I was with Buraida on a cloudy day and he said, "Offer the 'Asr prayer earlier as the Prophet said, 'Whoever leaves the 'Asr prayer will have all his (good) deeds annulled.' " (See Hadith No. 527 and 528)

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith (Hadith 1.548)

My father said, "Allah's Apostle said, 'Whoever prays the two cool prayers ('Asr and Fajr) will go to Paradise.' "

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith (Hadith 1.527)

Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever misses the 'Asr prayer (intentionally) then it is as if he lost his family and property."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir- Surah 2. Al-Baqara, Ayaat 238 To 239

حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلَاةِ الْوُسْطَىٰ وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ٢٣٨فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ فَرِجَالًا أَوْ رُكْبَانًا ۖ فَإِذَا أَمِنْتُمْ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَمَا عَلَّمَكُمْ مَا لَمْ تَكُونُوا تَعْلَمُونَ٢٣٩

238. Guard strictly (five obligatory) As-Salawat (the prayers) especially the Middle Salah.And stand before Allah with obedience. 239. And if you fear (an enemy), (perform Salah) on foot or riding. And when you are in safety, then remember Allah (pray) in the manner He has taught you, which you knew not (before).

Allah commands that the prayer should be performed properly and on time. It is reported in the Two Sahihs that Ibn Mas`ud said, "I asked the Prophet , `Which deed is the dearest (to Allah)' He replied:

«الصَّلَاةُ عَلى وَقْتِها»

(To offer the prayers at their fixed times.) I asked, `What is the next (in goodness)' He replied:

«الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ الله»

(To participate in Jihad (religious fighting) in Allah's cause.)'' I again asked, `What is the next (in goodness)' He replied:

«بِرُّ الْوَالِدَيْن»

(To be good and dutiful to your parents.) `Abdullah then added, "The Prophet told me these words, and had I asked more, the Prophet would have told me more.''

﴿حَـفِظُواْ عَلَى الصَّلَوَتِ والصَّلَوةِ الْوُسْطَى﴾

(Guard strictly (five obligatory) As-Salawat (the prayers) especially the Middle Salah) and stated that it is the `Asr prayer. In another narration, Allah's Messenger said:

In another narration, Allah's Messenger mentioned:

.

Allah's Messenger emphasized the necessity of preserving the `Asr prayer, when he said, as Ibn `Umar narrated:

«مَنْ فَاتَتْهُ صَلَاةُ الْعَصْرِ فَكَأَنَّمَا وُتِرَ أَهْلَهُ وَمَالَه»

(Whoever misses the `Asr prayer will be like who has lost his family and money.)