Asr (Afternoon Prayer)
The third daily prayer, performed in the afternoon.
Asr (Arabic: عصر) is the third of the five daily obligatory prayers in Islam. The word "asr" means "afternoon" or "time/epoch" in Arabic. This prayer is performed in the afternoon, when the shadow of an object has become longer than the object itself (plus the shadow's length at noon).
The Asr prayer consists of four rak'ah. There are two main methods for calculating the Asr time, which vary between the Islamic schools of law: according to the Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali schools, Asr begins when the shadow of an object equals the object's length plus the shadow's length at noon. According to the Hanafi school, Asr begins when the shadow is twice as long as the object plus the noon shadow.
The Quran specifically mentions the Asr prayer: "Guard strictly your prayers, especially the middle prayer" (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:238). Many scholars interpret "the middle prayer" as the Asr prayer. Neglecting the Asr prayer is considered particularly serious.
The Asr time can vary significantly — from around 1:30 PM in winter to 5:00 PM or later in summer.
Related terms
Ihsan (Excellence)
The highest level of worship: to worship Allah as if one can see Him.
Irsal (Arm Position in Prayer)
The Shia practice of letting the arms hang at the sides during prayer.
Jannah (Paradise)
The eternal paradise, the reward for faith and good deeds.
Imam (Prayer Leader)
The person who leads the congregational prayer at the mosque.
Nahj al-Balagha (The Peak of Eloquence)
Imam Ali's collection of sermons and wise sayings, central to Shia prayer tradition.
Imamat (Divine Leadership)
The doctrine of the twelve divinely appointed Imams who lead the community after the Prophet.