How to Pray Asr: Rakats and Step-by-Step Guide
Quick Answer
Asr (afternoon prayer) is 8 rakats in the Hanafi school: 4 sunnah + 4 fard. Its sunnah is non-emphasized: in the first sitting, Salli-Barik is added after At-Tahiyyat, and the third rakat begins with Subhanaka. Recitation is silent. Its time runs from the end of Dhuhr until sunset.
Step-by-Step Summary
- 1Sunnah — First Two Rakats: Intend the Asr sunnah. Al-Fatiha + a surah in each rakat; in the first sitting recite At-Tahiyyat AND Salli-Barik.
- 2Sunnah — Last Two Rakats: Begin the third rakat with Subhanaka; Al-Fatiha + surah in both; full sequence and salam in the final sitting.
- 3Fard — 4 Rakats: Intend today's Asr fard. First two rakats Al-Fatiha + surah, last two Al-Fatiha only; silent recitation; full final sitting and salam.
The Asr Prayer
Asr is the third obligatory prayer: 4 sunnah + 4 fard = 8 rakats, all silent. Today's time: prayer times.
| Part | Rakats | Ruling |
|---|---|---|
| Sunnah | 4 | Non-emphasized |
| Fard | 4 | Obligatory |
The 4-Rakat Sunnah (Non-Emphasized)
Two differences from Dhuhr's sunnah:
- In the first sitting, recite At-Tahiyyat and Salli-Barik.
- Begin the third rakat with Subhanaka.
The 4-Rakat Fard
First two rakats Al-Fatiha + surah; last two Al-Fatiha only. Full final sitting with Rabbana, salam, then tasbih.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many rakats is Asr?
8 in total: 4 sunnah and 4 fard. The sunnah is non-emphasized (ghayr mu'akkadah) — virtuous to pray, no sin if omitted.
How does the Asr sunnah differ from Dhuhr's?
Being non-emphasized, its first sitting includes Salli-Barik after At-Tahiyyat, and the third rakat begins with Subhanaka. In Dhuhr's first sunnah only At-Tahiyyat is recited in the first sitting.
Can I pray after Asr?
After the Asr fard, voluntary prayers are not performed until sunset; missed (qada) prayers may still be prayed.