What is the time for the sunnah of 'Asr? When does it begin and when does it end?
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The questioner : The questioner, Umm 'Abd al-'Aziz, says in her last question: What is the time for the sunnah of 'Asr? When does it begin and when does it end?
The Shaykh : Repeat the question?
The questioner : She asks: What is the time for the sunnah of 'Asr? When does it begin and when does it end?
The Shaykh : There is no regular sunnah for 'Asr. The regular voluntary prayers (rawatib) are for Fajr, Zuhr, Maghrib, and 'Isha'. As for Fajr, it has a regular sunnah before the prayer. It is recommended to keep it light, so one does not lengthen the glorification, supplication, or recitation. Rather, one recites after al-Fatihah in the first rak'ah and in the second rak'ah [Al-Ikhlas 112:1], or one recites in the first [Al-Baqarah 2:136] and in the second [Ali 'Imran 3:64]. This sunnah, meaning the sunnah of Fajr, is the best of the regular voluntary prayers. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not leave it, whether resident or traveling, and he used to say: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 416Sahih (Darussalam).
As for Zuhr, its regular voluntary prayer is six rak'ahs: four before Zuhr with two taslims, and two after it.
As for Maghrib, it has one regular voluntary prayer, which is two rak'ahs after it.
As for 'Isha', it has one regular voluntary prayer, which is two rak'ahs after it.
These are the prescribed regular voluntary prayers for these four prayers only. As for 'Asr, it has no regular sunnah. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Repeat the question?
The questioner : She asks: What is the time for the sunnah of 'Asr? When does it begin and when does it end?
The Shaykh : There is no regular sunnah for 'Asr. The regular voluntary prayers (rawatib) are for Fajr, Zuhr, Maghrib, and 'Isha'. As for Fajr, it has a regular sunnah before the prayer. It is recommended to keep it light, so one does not lengthen the glorification, supplication, or recitation. Rather, one recites after al-Fatihah in the first rak'ah
Say: O you disbelievers!
قل يا أيها الكافرونSay, "He is Allah, [who is] One,
قل هو الله أحدSay, [O believers], "We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him."
قولوا ءامَنّا بِاللَّهِ وَما أُنزِلَ إِلَينا وَما أُنزِلَ إِلى إِبراهيمَ وَإِسماعيلَ وَإِسحاقَ وَيَعقوبَ وَالأَسباطِ وَما أوتِيَ موسى وَعيسى وَما أوتِيَ النَّبِيّونَ مِن رَبِّهِم لا نُفَرِّقُ بَينَ أَحَدٍ مِنهُم وَنَحنُ لَهُ مُسلِمونَSay, "O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you - that we will not worship except Allah and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of Allah." But if they turn away, then say, "Bear witness that we are Muslims [submitting to Him]."
قُل يا أَهلَ الكِتابِ تَعالَوا إِلى كَلِمَةٍ سَواءٍ بَينَنا وَبَينَكُم أَلّا نَعبُدَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ وَلا نُشرِكَ بِهِ شَيئًا وَلا يَتَّخِذَ بَعضُنا بَعضًا أَربابًا مِن دونِ اللَّهِ فَإِن تَوَلَّوا فَقولُوا اشهَدوا بِأَنّا مُسلِمونَThe two Rak'ah of Fajr are better than the world and what is in it.
ركعتا الفجر خير من الدنيا وما فيهاAs for Zuhr, its regular voluntary prayer is six rak'ahs: four before Zuhr with two taslims, and two after it.
As for Maghrib, it has one regular voluntary prayer, which is two rak'ahs after it.
As for 'Isha', it has one regular voluntary prayer, which is two rak'ahs after it.
These are the prescribed regular voluntary prayers for these four prayers only. As for 'Asr, it has no regular sunnah. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you.