Asr Time in Chicago, United States is 04:57 PM
Salat Al Asr, also known as Salat-ul-Wusta (Middle prayer), is the third salah that is performed late in the afternoon after dhuhr. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to offer Salat-Al Asr right after the athan was called and also called it a source to protect oneself from Jahanam (hell). Allah Almighty also emphasized the importance of the offering Asr prayer in the Quran (2:238).
Although all prayers hold significant importance in our daily lives, here we will discuss only the Asr prayer in detail. Salat al-Asr rakats include 4 mondatory fardh rakat and 4 ghair muakkadah sunnah rakats. Here's what you'll learn:
Salat al-Asr is performed in the late afternoon and continues till sunset. This prayer is offered between Dhuhr and Maghrib, so it's important to pray it immediately after adhan to avoid delays. Some Islamic scholars agree that Asr namaz time begins when the shadow of an object becomes equal to its original length and ends with sunset.
Narrated Anas bin Malik (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) narrates a hadith about praying Asr early in Sahih al-Bukhari as "We used to pray the `Asr prayer and after that if someone happened to go to the tribe of Bani `Amr bin `Auf, he would find them still praying the `Asr (prayer)." Sahih al-Bukhari: Book 9, Hadith 25
Another hadith Narrated by Anas bin Malik (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reveals that "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to offer the `Asr prayer at a time when the sun was still hot and high and if a person went to Al-`Awali (a place) of Medina, he would reach there when the sun was still high. Some of Al-`Awali of Medina were about four miles or so from the town." Sahih al-Bukhari: Book 9, Hadith 27
These hadiths emphasize praying the Asr salah early before sunset.
You can also install our Muslim and Quran mobile application to know the exact time and rakats in Asr namaz, regardless of where you are. We also provide you with 5 Salah alerts a day that help you to stay on track.
There are a total of 8 Asr namaz rakats:
We can't afford to miss the obligatory Asr prayer because another hadith reported by Ibn `Umar reveals that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said:
"Whoever misses the `Asr prayer (intentionally) then it is as if he lost his family and property." Sahih al-Bukhari Book 9, Hadith 29
Here is the complete step-by-step guide to offer Asr Salah:
The first and foremost step before praying is finding the right Qibla direction. You can also use our Muslim and Quran application to locate the Qibla anywhere. Then, stand upright while facing the Qibla and make niyyah to pray Asr Salah.
Make niyyah in your lower voice or your heart. You can say like, "I make niyyah to offer 4 fardh rakats of Asr Salah" in your local language or Arabic.
Takbir and Qiyam are the next steps after making an intention. For Takbir, say "Allahu Akbar" and raise your hands to your ears for men and shoulders for women. This step of the Takbir is called Takbir al-Ihram.
After that, lower your hands and do Qiyam while folding your hands. According to the Sunni Hanafi school of thought, men should place their hands below their navel, while women should place their hands on their chests.
Once you have placed your hands in an appropriate place, read the opening dua:
“Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta’ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk”
Translation: "Glorious You are, O Allah, and with Your praise, and blessed is Your Name, and exalted is Your majesty, and none has the right to be worshipped but You."
After reciting the dua, one should have to read Tauz (A'oodhu..) to seek refuge from Satan and Tasmia (bismillah..) to begin with the name of Allah Almighty.
After reciting Tauz and Tasmia, recite Surah Fatiha in every Qiyam as it's mandatory. After this, you can recite any short surah as Surah Ikhlas, Surah Falaq, or Surah Nas.
Step 6: Ruku (Bowing)
In Ruku, you have to bow while putting your hands on both knees until your waist gets straight or parallel to the ground. Then you must have to say, "Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem" three times in ruku before standing up.
After ruku, while rising up, say "Sami’-Allahu liman hamidah" once.
Then, after standing upright, leave your hands on both sides of your body and say, "Sami-Allahu liman hamidah" only once.
While bending down for Sujood, say Allahu Akbar and follow the exact prostration position until your nose, forehead, knees, and toes come in direct contact with the ground.
Once you are in prostration while your hands point toward QIbla, say "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la" three times.
Juloos is the position to sit between two Sujoods of a rakah. Men sit on their left foot, while women sit on their left hip instead of their feet. While getting up for Juloos, you have to say Allahu Akbar and then again bend for the second Sujood and say "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la" three times.
After Juloos, your first rakah gets completed, and you have to stand upright for Qiyam again to offer the second rakah.
Follow the same steps to offer the 2nd rakah, but after Juloos, you have to say Tashahhud and Durood-e-Ibrahimi. Then, get up for Qiyam and offer your third and fourth rakah similarly. Say Tashahhud, Durood, and Salam to complete four rakats.
Here are some benefits of praying Salat-al Asr:
Here's what a Muslim should strictly avoid:
Salat al-Asr is a way to connect with Allah Almighty during your busy day and worldly distractions. Salat-al Asr not only recharges your spirit but also saves you from Jahanam. Praying Salah on time is important to avoid rush prayers; therefore, our Muslim and Quran application sends you timely prayer reminders 5 times a day. Install it now to check Qibla, Asr rakats, and the exact salah time.