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
Du'a (Personal Supplication)
Personal address and supplication to Allah for help and guidance.
Sahih al-Bukhari (Bukhari's Authentic Collection)
The most authoritative hadith collection in Sunni Islam, compiled by Imam al-Bukhari.
Khalifah (Caliph/Successor)
The political and religious leader of the Muslim community after the Prophet's passing.
Taharah (Ritual Purity)
The state of ritual purity, which is a prerequisite for prayer.
Salat al-Qada (Makeup Prayer)
Prayers that are made up after their time has expired.
Tawhid (God's Oneness)
Islamic monotheism — belief in Allah's absolute oneness, the core of prayer.