How Many Rakats in Asr? A Detailed Explanation with References
Hi, dear readers! Are you looking for an explanation of how many rakats in Asr? If your answer is "Yes," congratulations! You are now reading the right article. Why? Because that is exactly what I will explain here.
As Muslims, understanding the details of our prayers is essential. That's why I've written this article. So, make sure to read it till the end!
Let's begin our discussion!
The Meaning of Rakats in Asr
The first important aspect of how many rakats in Asr is understanding the meaning of rakats in Asr. It's essential to grasp this concept before diving deeper into the topic.
In general, the meaning of rakats in Asr is defined as follows:
رَكَعَاتُ صَلَاةُ العَصْرِ هِيَ : أَقْوَالٌ وَأَفْعَالٌ مَخْصُوْصَةٌ فِيْ صَلَاةُ العَصْرِ ، تَتَكَوَّنُ مِنْهَا ، وَكَيْفِيَتُهَا مُحَدَّدَةٌ بِاتِّبَاعِ الشَّرْعِ
The rakats in Asr prayer consist of specific utterances and movements that are components of the Asr prayer. Their method is determined by following the Sharia.
From this definition, we understand that rakats in Asr are not arbitrary. They are specific words and actions established by Islamic law. Not every movement or utterance is permissible in the prayer.
As Muslims, we must fully understand this foundational concept.
Hadith About Asr Prayer and Its Timing
The second important aspect of how many rakats in Asr is understanding the hadith about the Asr prayer and its timing. Knowing the context and evidence behind this prayer enhances our understanding of its significance.
Here are two key hadiths regarding the Asr prayer and its timings:
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 Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He said: The Prophet would pray the noon prayer during the midday heat, the Asr prayer while the sun was bright, the Maghrib prayer when the sun had completely set, and the Isha prayer at varying times depending on the gathering of companions. The Fajr prayer was performed 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.
Key Takeaways:
- The Asr prayer is one of the five obligatory prayers in Islam.
- The time for the Asr prayer starts after the shadow of an object exceeds its length and ends at sunset.
How Many Rakats in Asr?
Now, let's address the main topic: how many rakats in Asr?
The Asr prayer consists of four rakats when performed as part of the daily obligatory prayers. This is supported by the following hadith:
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 (peace be upon him): The initial obligation of prayer was two rakats for each prayer, except Maghrib, which was three. Later, the number of rakats for prayers like Zuhr, Asr, and Isha was increased to four for residents, while travelers continued praying two rakats.
This hadith confirms that the Asr prayer comprises four rakats for those who are not traveling.
What About Mistakes in Rakats?
If someone makes a mistake in the number of rakats during the Asr prayer, the following hadith highlights how the Prophet (peace be upon him) corrected such mistakes:
أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ صَلَّى الْعَصْرَ فَسَلَّمَ فِي ثَلَاثِ رَكَعَاتٍ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ مَنْزِلَهُ فَقَامَ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ يُقَالُ لَهُ الْخِرْبَاقُ وَكَانَ فِي يَدَيْهِ طُولٌ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَذَكَرَ لَهُ صَنِيعَهُ وَخَرَجَ غَضْبَانَ يَجُرُّ رِدَاءَهُ حَتَّى انْتَهَى إِلَى النَّاسِ فَقَالَ أَصَدَقَ هَذَا قَالُوا نَعَمْ فَصَلَّى رَكْعَةً ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ ثُمَّ سَجَدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) once mistakenly ended the Asr prayer after three rakats. When this was brought to his attention, he added a rakat, performed two prostrations of forgetfulness, and then completed the prayer.
This shows the importance of ensuring the correct number of rakats in prayer and the procedure for rectifying mistakes.
Final Words
Understanding how many rakats in Asr is essential for all Muslims. The Asr prayer consists of four rakats, and it holds a significant place among the five daily prayers.
As discussed, the hadiths provide clear evidence for the timing and number of rakats in Asr. By following these teachings, we fulfill our obligations in accordance with the Sharia.
May Allah guide us all to perform our prayers correctly and with sincerity. Ameen.
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