How to Read Asr Prayer Correctly: A Step-by-Step Guide

It is essential for Muslims to learn how to read Asr prayer as it is one of the five daily prayers. Due to its importance, Allah Almighty instructed us directly in the holy Quran to pray it. therefore, in this article, we will learn how to pray Asr prayer, how to increase your focus during prayers, and more. Let’s get started!

How to Read Asr Prayer: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to read Asr prayer:  

Step 1: Preparation

1. Perform Wudu (Ablution)

Before praying one must first perform Wudu. Follow the right steps and you are good to go.

2. Find a Clean Prayer Space

When learning how to read Asr prayer one of the important steps is to find a calm and quiet place to pray in. A place away from any source of distraction and clean. If you have a prayer Rug, use it, but if you don’t it’s okay you can pray on the ground. 

3. Dress Modestly

Another essential step when learning how to read Asr prayer is to wear something that covers your body. For men, they should wear a shirt and something that covers from the navel to the knees. For women, they should wear something that covers the whole body except for the hands and face.

4. Face the Qibla

You are almost there. Now stand facing the Qibla which is the Kaaba. If you don’t know the right direction, use a mobile application to guide you or ask someone to guide you.

Step 2: How to read Asr prayer: Make Your Intention (Niyyah)

When learning how to read Asr prayer it’s important to learn how to make your intention. All you have to do is to make the intention of praying Four Rakat of Asr prayer from the heart. There is no need to recite it out loud.

‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said that Allah, the Glorious, said: “Verily, Allah (SWT) has ordered that the good and the bad deeds be written down. Then He explained it clearly how (to write): He who intends to do a good deed but he does not do it, then Allah records it for him as a full good deed, but if he carries out his intention, then Allah the Exalted, writes it down for him as from ten to seven hundred folds, and even more. But if he intends to do an evil act and has not done it, then Allah writes it down with Him as a full good deed, but if he intends it and has done it, Allah writes it down as one bad deed”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Step 3: Begin the Prayer

1. Takbir al-Ihram (Opening Takbir)

Now we will learn how to read Asr prayer steps. After making the intention raise your hands to your ears and say the Takbir as follows:

الله أكبر

Allahu Akbar

Allah is the Greatest.

2. Recite surah Fatiha

After saying the takbir, put your two hands on your chest, the right hand above the left hand. Then recite surah Fatiha as follows:

الحمد لله رب العالمين، الرحمن الرحيم، مالك يوم الدين، إياك نعبد وإياك نستعين، اهدنا الصراط المستقيم، صراط الذين أنعمت عليهم غير المغضوب عليهم ولا الضالين.

Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil ‘aalameen, Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem, Maaliki Yawmid-Deen. Iyyaaka na’budu wa iyyaaka nasta’een. Ihdinas-siraatal-mustaqeem, Siraatal-ladheena an’amta ‘alayhim ghayril-maghdoobi ‘alayhim wa lad-daaalleen.

All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us on the Straight Path—the path of those You have blessed, not those who have earned Your anger or gone astray.

3. Recite a short surah.

The next step to learn how to read Asr prayer is to recite a second surah when finishing surah Fatiha. You could recite surah Falaq, Nas, or Ikhlas. Read any surah from your memory. Here is how to recite surah Ikhlas:

قل هو الله أحد، الله الصمد، لم يلد ولم يولد، ولم يكن له كفوا أحد.

Qul huwa Allahu Ahad, Allahus-Samad, lam yalid wa lam yoolad, wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad.

Say, “He is Allah, One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.”

Step 4: How to read Asr prayer: Perform Ruku (Bowing)

The next step in learning how to read Asr prayer is performing Ruku. When you finish reciting the second surah recite the Takbir then bow and place your hands on your knees. Try to keep your back straight if you can and look at the place where you will perform Sujud and say the following three times:

سبحان ربي العظيم

Subhana Rabbiyal Azim

Glory is to my Lord, the Most Great.

Step 5: Return to Standing Position

Now you know most of the steps of how to read Asr prayer, and the next step is to stand up from Ruku and recite:

سمع الله لمن حمده

Sami’ Allahu liman Hamidah

Allah hears those who praise Him.

And Then say:

ربنا لك الحمد

Rabbana lakal Hamd

Our Lord, to You, belongs all praise.

Step 6: Perform Sujud (Prostration)

Now you should perform the Sujud. Your forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes all should be touching the ground, then say the following three times:

سبحان ربي الأعلى

Subhana Rabbiyal A’la

Glory is to my Lord, the Most High.

Step 7: Sit Briefly Between the Two Sujuds

When learning how to read Asr prayer it’s important to learn the dua to recite between the two sujuds. Sit briefly from the first Sujud and recite the following dua three times:

رب اغفر لي

Rabbighfir li

My Lord, forgive me.

Or say the following dua once:

“Allaahumma-ghfir lee warhamnee wajburnee, warfa’nee, wa ‘aafinee war’zuqnee”

O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, strengthen me, raise me in status, pardon me, and grant me provision.

Step 8: Perform the Second Sujud

Go for the second sujud and recite the following three times:

سبحان ربي الأعلى

Subhana Rabbiyal A’la

Glory is to my Lord, the Most High.

Step 9: Stand up for the second Raka.

Now you have completed the first Rakam and there are still three Rakat. Stand up and recite the Takbir then recite surah Fatiha followed by any other short surah. Repeat from step four to step 8 then sit for the Tashahhud.

Step 10: Recite the First Tashahhud

Among the steps to learn how to read Asr prayer is reciting the Tashahhud. In the second Raka you should recite only the first Tashahhud as follows:

التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ السَّلَامُ عَلَى النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِين. أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ السَّلَامُ عَلَى النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِين. أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

Attahiyyaatu lillaahi wassalawaatu wattayyibatu. Assalaamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyi warahmatullaahi wabarakaatuh. Assalaamu ‘alyna wa ‘ala ‘ibaadillaahis saaliheen. Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illallaah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasooluh.

Meaning: “All the compliments are for Allah and all the prayers and all the good things (are for Allah). Peace be on you, O Prophet, and Allah’s mercy and blessings (are on you). And peace be on us and on the good (pious) worshipers of Allah. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Apostle.

Step 11: Perform the third Raka.

In this step of how to pray Asr prayer you will stand up, say the Takbir, recite surah Fatiha and that is it. in the second and fourth Rakat, you won’t recite a second short surah. Then perform the Ruku and Sujud just like you did in the first Raka and stand up again for the fourth Raka.

Step 12:  Perform the Fourth Raka.

Repeat what you did in step 12 but this time after performing the Sujud you will sit for the Final Tashahhud. This time recite the full Tashahhud (Attahiyyat) as follows:

التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ السَّلَامُ عَلَى النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِين. أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ. اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيد

Attahiyyaatu lillaahi wassalawaatu wattayyibatu. Assalaamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyi warahmatullaahi wabarakaatuh. Assalaamu ‘alyna wa ‘ala ‘ibaadillaahis saaliheen. Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illallaah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasooluh.

Allaahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala aali Muhammad kama sallaita ‘ala Ibraaheem wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem innaka Hameedun Majeed, wabaarik ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala aali Muhamaad kama baarakta ‘ala Ibraaheem wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem innaka Hameedun Majeed.

Meaning: “All the compliments are for Allah and all the prayers and all the good things (are for Allah). Peace be on you, O Prophet, and Allah’s mercy and blessings (are on you). And peace be on us and on the good (pious) worshipers of Allah. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Apostle.

O, Allah! Praise Muhammad, and on the family of Muhammad, as You Praised Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem; you are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory. And send blessings on Muhammad, and on the family of Muhammad, as you sent blessings on Ibraaheem, and the family of Ibraaheem; you are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory.”

Step 13: End the Prayer with Tasleem

The last step in how to read Asr prayer is to conclude the prayer with Tasleem. Turn your head to the right and say:

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah

Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.

Then turn your head to the left and repeat the Tasleem.

What are the Common Mistakes to Avoid When Performing Asr Prayer?

Among the common mistakes to avoid when performing Asr prayer is rushing through prayers. You should recite the surahs and duas slowly and take your time. Also, one may forget to face the Qibla which is an essential step. If you don’t know the direction of the Qibla, ask someone or use a mobile app to guide you.

Additionally, when performing the Ruku make sure that your back is straight and parallel to the ground. When performing sujud make sure that your forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes all are touching the ground.

Why the Asr Prayer is Crucial for Daily Worship

Asr prayer is crucial because it is one of the five daily prayers that are obligatory for every Muslim. Additionally, Allah Almighty instructed us to pray it in the holy Quran:

“Guard strictly (five obligatory) As-Salawat (the prayers), especially the middle prayer. And stand before Allah with obedience.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:238)

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 Conclusion

Now you know how to read Asr prayer correctly with complete focus. Don’t hesitate and reach out to the qualified professionals at Ulum Al-Azhar for assistance in learning more about Tashahhud and its correct recitation. Book a free Consultation session and start learning! 

FAQs

How to Recite the Asr Prayer Properly for Maximum Reward?

To recite Asr prayer properly, pray slowly, reflect on the meaning of the surahs, and pray in a place away from all the sources of distractions.

How to Improve My Focus During the Asr Prayer?

To improve your focus during Asr prayer, remind yourself that prayer is a means of communicating with Allah and focus on the meaning of the verses and duas you recite. Additionally, pray in a calm place.

Can I pray Asr 10 minutes before Maghrib?

Yes, you can but it is a Makruh because it is one of the forbidden times for prayers. Therefore, don’t delay your prayers unless you have a valid reason.

It’s okay to pray Asr one hour before maghrib. The makruh time starts about 10 minutes before sunset. One should try to offer five times daily prayers as soon as the time of the prayers starts.