Praying five times a day is a mandatory act for Muslims. If someone misses even one prayer from these five prayers then it is considered a sinful act. However, compensation for missed prayers can be made by praying Qaza of that missed prayer. In today’s article, we will guide you on how to pray Asr prayer.

Asma Asad

Asma Asad

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Asr Prayer

Asr prayer is the fifth and last prayer of the day according to the Islamic time format. However, according to conventional time, it is the third prayer of the day. The time for Asr prayer starts when the sun is halfway down and it ends till sunset. However, it is recommended to perform Asr in the earlier phase and don't delay it until sunset. According to the Hanafi school of thought, the timing for asr prayer starts at Misal Sani (when the shadow of an object becomes double its size). While the Maliki school of thought states that the Asr time starts at Misal awwal (when the shadow of an object reaches equal to its size). Asr prayer is consist of four Fard Rakats, however, 4 Sunnah Rakats are optional to pray before Fard Rakats.

Asr Prayer In Quran

Surah Baqrah Verse#238

Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient.

Surah Ta-Ha- Verse#130

So be patient over what they say and exalt [ Allah ] with praise of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and during periods of the night [exalt Him] and at the ends of the day, that you may be satisfied.

Asr Prayer in Hadith

Narrated Abu Huraira Sahih Bukhari Hadith# 555

Allah's Apostle said "Angels come to you in succession by night and day and all of them get together at the time of the Fajr and 'Asr prayers. Those who have passed the night with you (or stayed with you) ascend (to the Heaven) and Allah asks them, though He knows everything about you, well, "In what state did you leave my slaves?" The angels reply: "When we left them they were praying and when we reached them, they were praying."

Narrated Aisha Sahih Bukhari Hadith# 544

Allah's Apostle used to offer the 'Asr prayer when the sunshine had not disappeared from my chamber.

Narrated Ibn 'Umar Sahih Bukhari Hadith# 552

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

Narrated Abu Huraira Sahih Bukhari Hadith# 556

Allah's Apostle said, "If anyone of you can get one Rak'a of the 'Asr prayer before sunset, he should complete his prayer. If any of you can get one Rak'a of the Fajr prayer before sunrise, he should complete his prayer."

Step by Step Performing Asr Namaz

Clean yourself by performing Wudu before starting Namaz. As already mentioned above that 4 Sunnah Rakats are optional but recommended to pray in Asr namaz. If you want to pray Sunnah Rakat then you have to pray them before Fard Rakats by making the intention" I intend to pray 4 Sunnah Rakats of Asr prayer, facing towards Kaaba in the presence of Allah Almighty". However, further steps in 4Sunnah Rakats are the same as for Fard Rakats.

Step 1 Make Intention

Start the first Fard Rakat of Asr namaz by making Niyyah. Niyyah is actually an intention that is offered slowly by saying" I intend to pray 4 Fard Rakats of Asr prayer, facing towards the Kaaba in the presence of Allah Almighty". You have to stand straight on the prayer mat, and your face must be in the direction of Kaaba.

Step 2 Say Takbir

After making the intention to stay in the same position raise your both hands up to your ears saying “الله أكبر”. It is for men to take their hands up to their ears while women have to take their hands up to their shoulders.

Step 3 Perform Qayam

After saying Takbir, tie both of your hands below your navel. Your right hand should be above your left hand. Women have to tie their hands on their chests.

  • Then start reciting Sana (سُبْـحانَكَ اللّهُـمَّ وَبِحَمْـدِكَ وَتَبارَكَ اسْمُـكَ وَتَعـالى جَـدُّكَ وَلا إِلهَ غَيْرُك)
  • After reciting Sana, recite Surah Fatiha.
  • Then recite Surah Ikhlas or any other Surah that you remember.

Step 4 Perform Ruku

Then while saying “الله أكبر” bend down your upper body in a way that your face is towards the ground. Then place your palms on your knees and recite Tasbeeh ( سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ) while staying in this position. You can recite Tasbeeh a minimum of three times. You can increase the Tasbeeh for a longer Ruku.

Step 5 Perform Qooma

Rise up your body from Ruku while reciting(سمع الله لمن حمده). And upon standing position recite(رَبَّنـا لَكَ الحَمْـدُ).

Step 6Perform First Sajdah

Bow down on the ground while saying“الله أكبر“. Then place both the palms straight on the ground. Place your nose and forehead on the ground. Staying in this position recite Tasbeeh(سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى) three times. For a longer Sajdah, you can increase the recitation of Tasbeeh.

Step 7 Perform Jalsa

Saying “الله أكبر” raise your head from the Sajdah position. Then sit on the ground for a few seconds before performing the second sajdah of First Rakat.

Step 8 Perform Second Sajdah

Bow down again on the ground for performing the second sajdah. Then recite Sajdah Tasbeeh (سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى) three times. Now the first Fard Rakat of Asr prayer is completed here.

Step 9 Stand Up for Second Rakat

Stand up saying “الله أكبر” for the second Fard Rakt of Asr prayer.

  • Then perform Qayam.
  • After Qayam make Ruku.
  • Then perform Qooma in second Rakat.
  • Perform First Sajdah.
  • Then sit in Jalsa.
  • Complete the second Rakat by performing the Second Sajdah.
  • Raise your head from the ground and sit in a jalsa position to Perform the First Qaada by reciting At-tahiyat.

Step 10 Stand Up for Third Rakat

Again stand up saying “الله أكبر” for performing the third Fard Rakt of Asr prayer.

  • Firstly, perform Qayam.
  • After Qayam perform Ruku.
  • Then perform Qooma.
  • Perform First Sajdah of third Rakat.
  • Then sit in Jalsa.
  • Complete the third Rakat by performing the Second Sajdah.
  • You don't have to perform Qaada in the third Rakat.

Step 11 Stand Up for Fourth Rakat

After completing the third Rakat, stand up again saying “الله أكبر” to perform the final fourth Fard Rakt of Asr prayer.

  • Then perform Qayam.
  • After Qayam Make Ruku.
  • Then perform Qooma.
  • Bow down to perform the First Sajdah.
  • Then sit on the ground to perform Jalsa.
  • Then perform the Second Sajdah in the same way as performed in the third Rakat.

Step 12Perform Quood

Now you have to perform Quood in the final Fard Rakat. Sit on the ground and then put both of your palms straight on your thighs. Then recite At-tahiyat, after reciting At-tahiyat sitting in the same position recite Durood -e- Ibrahimi. Then in the end of Quood recite (رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَّفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَّقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ). However, there are other recommended supplications that you can recite at the end of Quood after reciting Durood-e-Ibrahimi.

Step 13Perform Tasleem

Finish your Asr prayer by offering Salam on both your right and left side. Turn your head towards your right shoulder and say (السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ). Then turn your head towards your left shoulder and again say ( السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ). The four compulsory Rakats of Asr prayer are completed here.

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Conclusion

Asr prayer has immense importance as Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W) said that "whoever prays Asr will enter Jannah". It is a prayer that is witnessed by Angels. It's better to pray 4 Sunnah Rakats before Fard Rakats in Asr prayer as this was the practice of our Holy Prophet(S.A.W), but missing Sunnah Rakat is not considered a sinful act as missing Fard Rakats.