Comprehensive Guide to Asr Prayer, Asr Rakats, Dhikr Asr, and Dua Asr
Hi, dear readers! Are you looking for an explanation of Asr prayer, Asr rakats, Dhikr Asr, and Dua Asr? If your answer is “Yes,” congratulations! You've found the right article. Why? Because this is exactly what I will explain here. As Muslims, it is essential to understand these topics, and that's why I wrote this article. So, make sure to read it till the end!
Specifically, I will discuss five key aspects of the Asr prayer:
- What is Asr prayer?
- The number of rakats in Asr prayer.
- How to perform Asr prayer.
- Dhikr (remembrance) after Asr prayer.
- Dua (supplications) after Asr prayer.
Let's dive into each topic in detail.
What is Asr Prayer?
The first key topic is: What is Asr prayer? Understanding this is fundamental to the discussion.
In Islamic teachings, the Asr prayer (صلاة العصر) is one of the five obligatory daily prayers (salat) that Muslims must perform. It is required for every Muslim who has reached maturity and is not excused by valid Islamic reasons. Missing the Asr prayer without a valid excuse is considered a sin.
The time for Asr prayer begins when the shadow of an object is equal to its length and continues until just before sunset. This timing is supported by the following hadiths:
Hadith About Asr Prayer and Its Timing
عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ ، قَالَ لَمَّا قَدِمَ الْحَجَّاجُ الْمَدِينَةَ فَسَأَلْنَا جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ كَانَ رَسُوْلُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي الظُّهْرَ بِالْهَاجِرَةِ وَالْعَصْرَ وَالشَّمْسُ نَقِيَّةٌ وَالْمَغْرِبَ إِذَا وَجَبَتْ وَالْعِشَاءَ أَحْيَانًا يُؤَخِّرُهَا وَأَحْيَانًا يُعَجِّلُ كَانَ إِذَا رَآهُمْ قَدِ اجْتَمَعُوا عَجَّلَ وَإِذَا رَآهُمْ قَدْ أَبْطَئُوا أَخَّرَ وَالصُّبْحَ كَانُوا أَوْ - قَالَ - كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّيهَا بِغَلَسٍ
From Muhammad bin Amr bin al-Hasan bin Ali: When Hajjaj came to Medina we asked Jabir bin Abdullah (about the timings of prayer as observed by the Holy Prophet). He said: The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam used to pray afternoon prayer in the midday heat; the afternoon prayer when the sun was bright; the evening prayer when the sun had completely set; and as for the night prayer, he sometimes delayed and sometimes (observed it) at earlier hours. When he found them (his Companions) assembled (at earlier hours) he (prayed) early. and when he saw them coming late, he delayed the (prayer). and the morning prayer the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam observed in the darkness before dawn.
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو ، أَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ : وَقْتُ الظُّهْرِ إِذَا زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَكَانَ ظِلُّ الرَّجُلِ كَطُولِهِ مَا لَمْ يَحْضُرِ الْعَصْرُ وَوَقْتُ الْعَصْرِ مَا لَمْ تَصْفَرَّ الشَّمْسُ وَوَقْتُ صَلاَةِ الْمَغْرِبِ مَا لَمْ يَغِبِ الشَّفَقُ وَوَقْتُ صَلاَةِ الْعِشَاءِ إِلَى نِصْفِ اللَّيْلِ الأَوْسَطِ وَوَقْتُ صَلاَةِ الصُّبْحِ مِنْ طُلُوعِ الْفَجْرِ مَا لَمْ تَطْلُعِ الشَّمْسُ فَإِذَا طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَأَمْسِكْ عَنِ الصَّلاَةِ فَإِنَّهَا تَطْلُعُ بَيْنَ قَرْنَىْ شَيْطَانٍ
From Abdullah bin Amr reported, that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said: The time of the noon prayer is when the sun passes the meridian and a man's shadow is the same (length) as his height, (and it lasts) as long as the time for the afternoon prayer has not come; the time for the afternoon prayer is as long as the sun has not become pale; the time of the evening prayer is as long as the twilight has not ended; the time of the night prayer is up to the middle of the average night and the time of the morning prayer is from the appearance of dawn, as long as the sun has not risen; but when the sun rises, refrain from prayer for it rises between the horns of the devil.
These hadiths emphasize the importance of praying Asr within its prescribed time.
How Many Rakats in Asr Prayer?
The second key topic is: How many rakats are there in Asr prayer?
According to Islamic teachings, the Asr prayer consists of four rakats. Performing these four rakats is obligatory for all Muslims.
Hadith About Rakats in Asr Prayer
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَتْ كَانَ أَوَّلَ مَا افْتُرِضَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الصَّلَاةُ رَكْعَتَانِ رَكْعَتَانِ إِلَّا الْمَغْرِبَ فَإِنَّهَا كَانَتْ ثَلَاثًا ثُمَّ أَتَمَّ اللَّهُ الظُّهْرَ وَالْعَصْرَ وَالْعِشَاءَ الْآخِرَةَ أَرْبَعًا فِي الْحَضَرِ وَأَقَرَّ الصَّلَاةَ عَلَى فَرْضِهَا الْأَوَّلِ فِي السَّفَرِ
From Aisha, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, she said: Among that which was obligated on Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was Salat which was two Rakat two Rakat except for Maghrib which was three, and then Allah made Zuhr Asr and Isha four while one is not Traveling, and made it the same as it was obligated the first time while Traveling (meaning Two Rak'at).
This hadith confirms the number of rakats in the Asr prayer as four.
How to Pray Asr Prayer
The third key topic is: How do you pray Asr prayer?
Performing Asr prayer correctly involves the following steps:
Purification
Ensure you are free from minor and major impurities (hadas).
Niyyah (Intention)
Intend to perform the obligatory Asr prayer. The niyyah can be recited as follows:
أُصَلِّي فَرْضَ العَصْرِ ثَلَاثَ أَرْبَعَ مُسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةِ أَدَاءً لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى
I intend to perform the obligatory Asr prayer, four rakats, facing the Qiblah, for the sake of Allah Ta'ala."
Perform the Obligatory Movements
These include takbir (saying Allahu Akbar), bowing (ruku), standing after bowing (i'tidal), prostration (sujood), sitting between prostrations, and tashahhud (reciting attestation).
Recite the Prescribed Prayers
During the prayer, recite Surah Al-Fatiha, verses from the Quran, and other supplications.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your Asr prayer is performed correctly.
Dhikr After Asr Prayer
The fourth key topic is: What is Dhikr after Asr prayer?
Engaging in Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) after the Asr prayer is highly recommended. It helps to strengthen your connection with Allah and gain spiritual rewards. Some common forms of dhikr include:
- SubhanAllah (33 times)
- Alhamdulillah (33 times)
- Allahu Akbar (34 times)
- Recitation of Ayat al-Kursi (Surah Al-Baqarah: 255).
These acts of dhikr are a way to seek blessings and peace after completing the Asr prayer.
Dua After Asr Prayer
The fifth key topic is: What is Dua after Asr prayer?
Reciting dua (supplications) after the Asr prayer is a powerful way to seek Allah's help, guidance, and forgiveness. You can recite any heartfelt supplication or use the following:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَفْوَ وَالْعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ
O Allah, I ask You for forgiveness and well-being in this world and the Hereafter.
Conclusion
Understanding the Asr prayer, its rakats, dhikr, and dua is essential for every Muslim. By performing the Asr prayer correctly and incorporating dhikr and dua into your routine, you can strengthen your faith and draw closer to Allah.
If you found this article helpful, please share it with others so they too can benefit. May Allah guide us all to the straight path.
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