How To Perform Asr Prayer?

The Asr Prayer, offered in the late afternoon, consists of four obligatory rak’ahs. It provides a spiritual break during the busy day, allowing the believer to refocus on Allah. This guide details every step—from ablution and intention to the final tasleem—with references to authentic Islamic sources.

The Asr Prayer is one of the five daily obligatory prayers and is performed in the late afternoon. It serves as a moment of spiritual rejuvenation amid daily activities. Typically, it consists of four obligatory rak’ahs, often preceded and/or followed by Sunnah units. Each movement in the prayer is an expression of devotion and submission to Allah, drawing the heart away from worldly distractions.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih al-Muslim)

The Importance of Timeliness and Preparation

As the day progresses, performing Asr in its proper time is essential. The time for Asr begins when the shadow of an object is equal to its height (or slightly longer, depending on the school of thought) and lasts until just before sunset. Praying at the early part of Asr time is preferable, as delaying it to the end of its period is discouraged.

Before beginning the prayer, one must perform ablution (wudu) to purify both the body and soul. The Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized that “Wudu is half of faith.”
(Sahih al-Muslim)

Summary of Ablution (Wudu) Steps

Intention (Niyyah): Make the intention in your heart to perform wudu for Allah’s sake.
Washing the Hands: Wash the hands up to the wrists three times.
Mouth and Nose Cleansing: Rinse the mouth and nose three times each.
Face Washing: Wash the face from the hairline to the chin and from ear to ear three times.
Washing the Arms: Wash both arms from the fingertips to the elbows three times.
Wiping the Head: Pass wet hands over the entire head once.
Cleaning the Ears: Wipe the inner and outer parts of the ears with wet fingers.
Washing the Feet: Wash both feet up to and including the ankles three times each.

The Rak’ah Structure of Asr Prayer

The Asr Prayer is composed of four obligatory rak’ahs (fard). Some schools of thought also recommend additional Sunnah rak’ahs before the obligatory units; however, this guide will focus on the four fard rak’ahs.

Intention and the Opening Takbir

Begin by making a sincere intention in your heart:
“I intend to perform four rak’ahs of Asr Prayer for the sake of Allah.”
Sincerity in intention is crucial as it underpins the entire act of worship.

Then, raise your hands to shoulder or ear level and say the opening Takbir:

Allahu Akbar
(Allah is the Greatest)

This declaration marks the beginning of the prayer and shifts the focus solely onto Allah.
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

Qiyam: The Standing Position and Recitation

1. Standing Posture (Qiyam)

Stand upright with your back straight and your eyes fixed on the spot where you will later prostrate. The positioning of the hands differs by school: for example, in the Hanafi school, hands are placed below the navel, while the Shafi’i school recommends placing them at the chest.
(Abu Hanifa, Risale-i Fıkıh)

2. Recitation of Al-Fatihah and a Short Surah

In the first rak’ah, recite Surah Al-Fatihah with deep concentration:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
Al-Hamdu Lillahi Rabbil ‘Alamin
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.

After finishing Al-Fatihah, recite a short surah or several verses from the Quran (for example, Surah Al-Ikhlas):

قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad
Say, “He is Allah, [who is] One.”

اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ
Allahus-Samad
Allah, the Eternal, Absolute.

لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ
Lam Yelid Wa Lam Yûled
He neither begets nor is born.

وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
Walam Yakun Lahu Kufuwan Ahad
And there is none comparable to Him.
(Sahih al-Muslim)

Ruku: Bowing in Humility

After completing the recitation, say “Allahu Akbar” and gently move into Ruku.

Ruku Posture

Bend at the waist until your back is parallel to the ground.
Place your hands on your knees, keeping your back straight.
Maintain your head in alignment with your back.

Supplication in Ruku

While in Ruku, recite with deep humility:

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Subhana Rabbiyal ‘Azim
Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great.

Repeat this supplication three or more times, allowing the words to resonate within your heart.
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

Rising from Ruku

From Ruku, rise back to the standing position by saying:

سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ
Sami’Allahu liman hamidah
Allah hears those who praise Him.

Then, while standing, say:

رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ
Rabbana wa lakal-hamd
Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

Sujud: Prostration of Complete Submission

After rising, say “Allahu Akbar” and move into Sujud.

Sujud Posture

Lower your forehead and nose to the ground.
Place your palms on the floor near your shoulders.
Ensure your knees and the tips of your toes also touch the ground.
Your arms should be relaxed at your sides.

Supplication in Sujud

In Sujud, recite:

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى
Subhana Rabbiyal A’la
Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.

It is recommended to repeat this supplication at least three times. Sujud is considered the moment when a worshipper is closest to Allah.
(Tirmidhi)

Sitting Between the Two Sujuds

After the first Sujud, say “Allahu Akbar” and sit briefly. During this short sitting, you may recite:

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي
Rabbi-ghfir li
My Lord, forgive me.
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

Then, rise again to perform the second Sujud in the same manner.

Second Rak’ah and the Tashahhud

After completing the first two rak’ahs, sit for Tashahhud if you are praying more than two rak’ahs. In the sitting position, recite the Tashahhud:

التحيات لله والصلوات والطيبات
At-Tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat
All greetings, prayers, and pure words belong to Allah.

السلام عليك أيها النبي ورحمة الله وبركاته
As-Salamu ‘Alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah’s mercy and blessings.

السلام علينا وعلى عباد الله الصالحين
As-Salamu ‘Alayna wa ‘ala ibadillahis-salihin
Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah.
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

After Tashahhud, if you are performing a four rak’ah prayer, stand up to continue with the third rak’ah.

Third and Fourth Rak’ahs

The third and fourth rak’ahs follow the same procedure as the first two: recite Surah Al-Fatihah (and optionally another surah), then perform Ruku, Sujud (with an intermediate sitting), and finally stand or sit for the final Tashahhud in the fourth rak’ah. In some schools, after Al-Fatihah, an additional surah may be recited during these rak’ahs.
(Abu Hanifa, Risale-i Fıkıh)

During the final sitting of the fourth rak’ah, recite the Tashahhud along with the additional Allahumma salli and Allahumma barik supplications:

اللهم صل على محمد وعلى آل محمد
Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad.

اللهم بارك على محمد وعلى آل محمد
Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad
O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.
(Riyad as-Salihin)

Concluding the Prayer with Tasleem

To conclude the Asr Prayer, turn your head to the right and then to the left, saying:

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله
As-salamu ‘Alaykum wa rahmatullah
May the peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.

This final greeting marks the end of the prayer and, in a congregational setting, extends the salutation to fellow worshippers.
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

Post-Prayer Remembrance and Supplications

After completing the prayer, it is recommended to engage in dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and supplications. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that reciting Subhanallah (33 times), Alhamdulillah (33 times), and Allahu Akbar (34 times) after prayer enriches the soul.
(Sahih al-Muslim)

A common supplication to recite is:

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina ‘adhaban-nar
Our Lord, grant us good in this world and in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

The Significance of Asr Prayer in Daily Life

The Asr Prayer serves as a critical moment in the day, allowing a believer to detach momentarily from worldly affairs and renew their connection with Allah. By praying on time, a Muslim maintains spiritual discipline, which reflects in all aspects of life—work, family, and social interactions. The tranquility and mindfulness fostered during Asr provide strength and clarity for the remainder of the day.

Congregational Worship and Community Bonds

Performing Asr in congregation not only enhances individual spirituality but also reinforces community bonds. The collective act of worship instills a sense of unity, brotherhood, and mutual support among Muslims. The Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized the tremendous reward of praying in congregation, which multiplies the blessings received.
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

References

Sahih al-Bukhari
Sahih al-Muslim
Tirmidhi, Ilm and Adab
Imam al-Ghazali, Ihya Ulum al-Din
Abu Hanifa, Risale-i Fıkıh
Riyad as-Salihin

Conclusion

The Asr Prayer is a vital part of the daily spiritual journey for a Muslim. It renews the heart, refocuses the mind, and reaffirms the believer’s commitment to Allah. By performing each rak’ah with mindfulness—from the initial intention and Takbir to Qiyam, Ruku, Sujud, Tashahhud, and finally Tasleem—the worshipper nurtures a deep and abiding connection with their Creator. May your Asr Prayer bring tranquility to your heart and guide you throughout your day.