Riyad as-Salihin, 1119
'Ali bin Abu Talib (May Allah be pleased with him)reported:
The Prophet (ﷺ) used to perform four Rak'ah before the 'Asr prayer, separating them with Taslim (i.e., offering blessings) on the favourite angels who are near Allah's proximity and the Muslims and the believers who come after them. <b>[At- Tirmidhi]</b>.
عن علي بن أبي طالب، رضي الله عنه قال كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يصلي قلب العصر أربع ركعات يفصل بينهن بالتسليم على الملائكة المقربين ومن تبعهم من المسلمين والمؤمنين. رواه الترمذي وقال حديث حسن.
References1 variant
- In-Book Reference
- Book 8, Hadith 129
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
<b>Guidance from the Hadiths:</b><br>
1) They point out the Prophet’s guidance concerning the Sunnah of the ‘Asr prayer. It is an ordinary supererogatory prayer, not a Rātibah (regular) one.<br>
2) Performing four Rak‘ahs before the ‘Asr prayer leads to winning Allah’s mercy.<br>
3) The four Rak‘ahs are to be separated with Tashahhud, not Taslim. That is the prescribed Prophetic guidance.<br>
Note:<br>
Authentic Hadiths mention that the Sunnah before the ‘Asr prayer is four Rak‘ahs. As for the Hadith in which ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to perform two Rak‘ahs before the ‘Asr prayer, it is weak, given that it contradicts the authentic Hadiths.