The Benefits and The Impact of Asr Prayer Time on Your Life

Prayer, or Salah, is really important in Islam. It is the second pillar of the faith and the Quran talks about it a lot. Allah (SWT) said that Muslims should pray five times a day. These prayers are called Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayer. 

Sure, all prayers are important, but in this article, we will focus on the significance and importance of the Al-Asr Prayer and Asr prayer time.

Logically, any of the five required prayers can be considered the middle prayer. However, based on reliable sources and sayings, it is the Asr (afternoon) prayer.

The Prophet (PBUH) said:

“Salat-al-Wusta (the middle prayer) is the Asr prayer.”(Muslim 631)

What is the middle prayer in Islam?

Allah says in the Quran,

 “Observe and guard the prayers and the middle prayer, and stand with total submission to Allah.”

True teachings tell us that the afternoon prayer (asr prayer) is the middle one.

The Prophet (PBUH) said on the day of Al-Ahzab, 

“May Allah fill their graves and houses with fire, as they kept us preoccupied from the middle prayer until the sun had set.”(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The Messenger of Allah also said,

“They kept us preoccupied from the “middle” prayer, the afternoon prayer–may Allah fill their bellies and graves with fire.”‘ (Ahmad, Muslim, and Ibn Majah)

What is the Correct Time For Asr Prayer?

The Asr prayer time begins when an object’s shadow is the same length as the object itself and ends at sunset. Many Muslims living in countries where most people are not Muslims have trouble figuring out when to pray. Global Prayer Time-Azan Alarm is a useful app that tells you when it’s time to pray for Muslims around the world. 

The Prophet Muhammad used to pray Asr in the afternoon when the sun was still hot and high. It was possible for someone to reach the suburbs of Al-Madinah at that time.

The Prophet (PBUH) would pray Asr as soon as the shadow was as long as the person or object that caused it. The people in Quba were busy with work and other things, so they prayed later than usual.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 

“Whoever catches one rakat of the afternoon prayer before the sun sets and then prays the remainder of the prayer after the sun has set has not missed the afternoon prayer.”

Asr Prayer Rakats

The Asr prayer has eight Rakats for Muslims to offer. 

• Pray four rakats of sunnah [Ghair moakkadah].
• Pray four Rakaats OF Fard 

I will explain to you the Sunnah Ghair Moakkadah. These Rakaats are not regularly offered by Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), unlike the Sunnah Al Mu’akkadah. Sunnah Al Mu’akkadah is the prayer that Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) regularly prayed and recommended others to pray as well.

How Late Can You Pray Asr Before Maghrib      

Allah says in the Quran:

“Safeguard your Salah and (especially) the middle Salah (i.e. Asr Salaah) and stand before Allah with humility.”(Surah al-Baqarah)

It is mentioned in the Quran and Hadiths, The Asr prayer is the third prayer Muslims must do, and it happens in the afternoon. It is important to pray the Al-Asr prayer on time and not delay it because it Is very important. 

Our dear Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“Whoever misses the Asr prayer, and then it is as if he has been robbed of his family and his wealth.”(Bukhari)

The Importance Of Asr Prayer

The best time to pray is when the sun starts to turn yellow on the horizon. Simplified: Pray the afternoon prayer when the sun starts to turn yellow on the horizon. Jabir and `Abdullah ibn `Umar suggested this before. It is better not to wait too long to pray until the sun is almost setting unless you have a good reason.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) says,

“The following is the prayer of the hypocrite: he waits until the sun is between the horns of Satan, then he gets up and prays four quick rak`ah, and he does not remember Allah therein save a little bit.”(Related by “the group,” except al-Bukhari and Ibn Majah)

On a cloudy day

On a cloudy day, you should pray the Asr prayer earlier than usual.

Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) during a battle and he said about the Asr prayer time,

“Hasten in praying on a cloudy day, for one who misses the afternoon prayer has destroyed all of his works.” (Ahmad and Ibn Majah)

Benefits and Impact of ASR Prayer on Muslims life

Also, many sayings of Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) show how important prayers are in Islam. So, even though all prayers are important, we will talk about the benefits of ASR prayer and impact of muslims’ lives, using the Quran and Prophet Muhammad’s teachings.

1. Finds the blessings of Allah

The big benefit of Asr prayer is that it helps us to think of God as the only one who is kind, and merciful, and who gives us everything we need.

In Quran Allah (SWT) says: 

“And when My servants question thee concerning Me, then surely I am nigh. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he crieth unto Me. So let them hear My call and let them trust in Me, in order that they may be led a right.”(Quran, 2:186)

2. Allah Gives the Right Path to The Muslims

Praying the Asr prayer gives Muslims a chance to ask for forgiveness and follow the teachings of Allah.

Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Quran

“……… and turn to Him repentant. He will cause you to enjoy a fair estate until a time is appointed. He giveth His bounty unto every bountiful one. But if ye turn away, lo! (then) I fear for you the retribution of an awful Day.”(Quran, 11:3)

3. Get a Double Reward

Every Muslim must pray the Asr prayer at the right time because it is an important prayer that should be done out of the five daily prayers. It has lots of blessings from Allah for Muslims who pray.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:

“This prayer (salat ul Asr) was ever obliged to the people before you, but they wasted it. So whoever keeps this prayer, hence for him the reward is doubled “(Muslim)

In the Holy Quran Allah (SWT) stated:

“Those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and establish regular prayers and regular charity, will have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve”(Quran, 2:22

Why is Asr The Most Important Prayer

1. A Great loss

The ASR prayer should be offered on time. It is very important to pray this prayer on time, because not praying or praying late is a great loss.

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad 

“May peace be upon him” said “Whoever misses the Asr prayer, and then it is as if he has been robbed of his family and his wealth.”(Bukhari)

2. You will experience the anger of Allah

If not praying one time causes a lot of trouble, imagine how much trouble it would cause if someone never prays at all. It’s important to pray because not doing it can lead to a lot of problems and unhappiness. So yes, not praying can have serious consequences.

On the day of Khandaq, Allah’s Messenger said:

“May Allah fill their homes and graves with fire, just as they distracted us from the middle prayer.”(Ibn Majah 684)

When the Confederates (the battle of Trench) stopped the believers from praying on time, they had to ask Allah to punish the polytheists who had invaded. 

Definitely, it gives a lot to think about for those who don’t pray because they are lazy or too busy with sports or other things. They have done a terrible thing against Allah and His Messengers (PBUH). May God protect us from His anger and punishment.

3. All Your Good Actions Will Be canceled /invalidated

You woke up, prayed, helped your parents, smiled at your brother, carried someone’s bags, gave good advice to a friend, controlled your anger for others, but missed the afternoon prayer because you were busy playing or working. Can you believe it? All those kind deeds didn’t even matter. Like you had never done them before. “All good acts” probably means the good things you’ve done in your life. All Your Good intentions will be wiped out.

Wrapping Up

The Quran says it is important to do the Fard ASR prayers on time because they bring good things. However, if you don’t pray on time, Allah will punish you. At mosques, all men are taught to pray with the group and the leader, called the Imam. Women are also praying their prayers at home. Asr prayer time is short, every Muslim must pray the ASR prayer at the correct time because it is one of the five prayers that they have to do every day. It gives many blessings from God to Muslims who offer it.