Allah’s Mercy for offering four Rak’ah before Asr
عن ابن عمر، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ” رَحِمَ الله امْرأ صلَى قَبلَ العَصْرِ أربعاً
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “ May Allah have mercy on the person whom prays four (Rak’ahs ) before Asr. “[1]
Benefits for this topic:
The place in Islam for this Prayer:
Badrudeen ‘Al-Aynee (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Based on this hadeeth the ulema view four rak’ah before Asr as being Sunnah.
Muhammad ibn Ahmed As-Surakhsee Said: Praying voluntarily before the Asr prayer is a good practice. These four Rakah aren’t establisehed in the as being the normal Sunnah prayers since they weren’t mentioned in the hadith of Aisha(radi Allahu anha) or mentioned as a regular practice of the Prophet. ”[2]
Ibn Al-Qudammah said: This hadith serves as an enticement for Allah’s Mercy,but He(sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) didn’t legislate them as being from the Sunnah rawatib.
Imam Al-Ghazali(رحمه الله) said: It’s strongly recommended to offer these four rakah in hope of being among those the Prophet(sallAllah alayhi wa salam) made dua for.[3]
The exact time for this prayer:
This prayer should be performed between the Athan and iqamah at Asr.
The description of this prayer:
Shaykh Abdullah Muhsin Al-Abbadd(حفظه الله) said these prayers should be offered with 2 rakah followed by Tasleem, then another 2 followed with a Tasleem.[4]
The Virtue of these Rak’ah:
Shaykh Zayd Al-Madkhalee (رحمه الله تعالى) wrote: “It is recommended for the Muslim to urge his soul to desire his Lord’s gifts. He can earn them by safeguarding these four Rak’ah before Asr. A Muslim should also motivate other Muslims to pray this prayer.
Although this prayer isn’t among the supererogatory prayers it still has a high reward and great merit. These Rak’ah are easy prey, so no one should fall short in practicing them. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed the Muslims about this prayer through his speech and action. He (peace and blessings be upon him)said : “ May Allah have mercy on the person who prays four rak’ah before Asr.”
This is a blessed supplication in that hadeeth for the person who prays four rak’ah before Asr, maintains this practice, and takes them seriously.[5]
Translated and compiled by Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Battle
Doha, Qatar 1431 (c)
Republished with some additions (4/5/2016)