Asr Prayer
 | This section is a general introduction to the rulings of a fiqhi topic. |
ʿAṣr prayer (Arabic: صلاة العصر) is among daily prayers in four rak'as and can be performed after the special time of zuhr prayer until sunset [when sun disappears from the sky, but it is not dark yet].
Description
'Asr prayer has four rak'as,[1] on the first rak'a of which after mentioning the intention[2] and saying takbirat al-ihram,[3] Sura al-Fatiha and another sura (not having an obligatory sajda) usually Sura al-Ikhlas is recited[4] and then one ruku'[5] and two sajdas are performed.[6] Then, the person stands up for the second rak'a[7] and continues by reciting Sura al-Fatiha and another sura and performing ruku' and sajda.
Then, tashahhud is recited[8] in sitting position and in the third and fourth rak'as, tasbihat al-arba'a is recited[9] and one ruku' and two sajdas are performed.
At the end, tashahhud and salam are recited.[10]
Time
The time for performing 'asr prayer begins after the special time for zuhr prayer, until maghrib.[11] This time is divided into the special time for 'asr prayer and the time common between zuhr and 'asr prayers.
Special Time
The "special time" for 'asr prayer is the time enough for performing one four-rak'a prayer before sunset, when only 'asr prayer can be performed.[12]
Common Time
By ending the special time for zuhr prayer, the common time for zuhr and 'asr prayers begin, when the person can perform 'asr prayer.[13]
Importance
In the Qur'an, it is ordered to establish and observe daily prayers, and 'asr prayer is one of them, "be watchful of your prayers, and [especially] the middle prayer, and stand in obedience to Allah."[14]
Nafila of 'Asr Prayer
Nafila of 'asr prayer has eight rak'as and has to be performed before 'asr prayer. Its time is from adhan of zuhr until the length of the shadow of Shakhis (a wooden stick pierced upright in the ground erected under the sun to determine the time of zuhr) reaches four seventh of the length of the stick.[15]
Some Rulings
- Traveler's prayer: one who is considered a traveler in rulings of jurisprudence, should perform 'asr prayer in qasr (short) form.[16]
- If someone performs 'asr prayer before zuhr prayer and notices his mistake in the middle of the prayer, one should change one's intention to zuhr prayer.[17]
- If someone unintentionally performs zuhr or 'asr prayer in the special time of the other, one's prayer is correct.[18]
- Both men and women should recite Sura al-Fatiha and the other sura for 'asr prayer quietly.[19]
Notes
- ↑ Khomeinī, Risāla tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil, daily prayer section.
- ↑ Khomeinī, Risāla tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil, issue 943.
- ↑ Khomeinī, Risāla tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil, issue 948.
- ↑ Khomeinī, Risāla tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil, issue 978.
- ↑ Khomeinī, Risāla tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil, issue 1022.
- ↑ Khomeinī, Risāla tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil, issue 1045.
- ↑ Khomeinī, Risāla tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil, issue 958.
- ↑ Khomeinī, Risāla tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil, issue 1100.
- ↑ Khomeinī, Risāla tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil, Tasbihat arba'a section.
- ↑ Khomeinī, Risāla tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil, issue 1105.
- ↑ Khomeinī, Risāla tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil, issue 731.
- ↑ Khomeinī, Risāla tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil, issue 731.
- ↑ Khomeinī, Risāla tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil, issue 731.
- ↑ Qur'an 2: 238.
- ↑ Khomeinī, Risāla tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil, issue 769.
- ↑ Khomeinī, Risāla tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil, issue 728.
- ↑ Khomeinī, Risāla tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil, issue 732.
- ↑ Khomeinī, Risāla tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil, issue 731.
- ↑ Ḥakīm, Mustamsak al-ʿUrwat al-wuthqā, vol. 6, p. 202; Khomeinī, Risāla tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil, issue 992.
References
- Ḥakīm, Muḥsin. Mustamsak al-ʿUrwat al-wuthqā. Qom: Manshūrāt Maktabat Āyatullāh Marʿashī al-Najafī, 1404 AH.
- Khomeinī, Sayyid Rūḥ Allāh. Risāla tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil. [n.p]. [n.d].