Salat -Sunni Asr

SALAT OF ASR

Afternoon Prayer

Salat of Asr (Afternoon Prayer) consists of four Rak'as. It is performed in the following steps:

After saying the Iqaama, with hands open you place your thumbs on the lower part of each earlobe. You announce your intention to perform Salat of Subh with your mind. This intention is as follows:

I intend to do the obligatory afternoon Salat Nawaytu Fardh Salatul Asr	نَويْتُ فَرْضَ صلاهَ العـصـر
Then you lower your hands saying:
Allah is the Greatest (Allaahu Akbar)	الله أكبر

Place the right hand over the left hand resting the two hands on the abdomen if you are of the Hanafi, Shafi'i, or Hanbali schools of thought. If you are of the Maaliki school of thought leave your arms down alongside your body.

1. Say the following

O Allah! Glory be to you and Yours is the Praise Subhaanaka Allahumma wa-Bihamdik	سُبحانكَ اللهُمَّ وبِحمْدِك
And blessed is Your Name Wa Tabaaraka Is'muk	وتعالى إسمُك
And Exalted is Your Majesty Wa Ta'aala Jadduk	وتعالى جَدُّك
And there is no deity besides You Wala Ilaaha Ghayruk	ولا إله غَيرُك
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the doomed A'udhu Bi-llaahi Min Al-Sheitan Al-Rajeem	أعوذُ بالله مِنَ الشَّيطان الرجيم
In Allah's name, the Gracious, the Merciful Bismil Laah Al-Rahman Al-Rahim	بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

II: The First Rak'a

2. Read Surah Al-Fatiha then another Surah as follows:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِِ

In Allah's Name, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Bismil Laah Al-Rahman Al-Rahim

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, Al-Hamdu Lil-Laahi Rabb Al-Aalameen	الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
the Gracious, the Merciful; Al-Rahman Al-Rahim	الرَّحْمـنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Master of the Day of Judgment Maaliki Yawm Al-Deen	مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ
Verily, You do we worship, and Your help do we seek. Iyyaka Na'budu Wa Iyyaka Nasta'een	إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
Guide us along the straight path, Ihdina Al-Siraatal Mustaqeem	اهدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيمَ
the path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your grace, Siraatal Ladheena An'amta Alayhim	صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمتَ عَلَيهِمْ
with whom You are not angry, nor who go astray. Ghayril Magh'dhubi Alayhim Wa La Al-Dhaalleen	غَيرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ

3. You may elect to say Surah Al-Kawthar after Surah Al-Fatiha:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِِ

In Allah's Name, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Bismil Laah Al-Rahman Al-Rahim

Verily We have provided you with abundance, Inna A'taynaka Al-Kawthar	إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ
so, pray to your Lord and sacrifice Fa'salli Li Rabbika Wunhur.	فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ
Surely he who defames you shall be condemned Inna Sha-ni'aka Huwa Al-Abtar.	إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الأَبْتَرُ

4. Having finished the above, you say:

Allah is the Greatest

Allaahu Akbar

الله أكبر

Then you bow in such a way that the palms of your hands come to rest on the corresponding knee. This is called Rukoo'. You say three times:

Glory be to my Lord most Great and His is the Praise

Subhaana Rabbiya Al-Adheemi wa Bi-Hamdih

سبحان ربِيَ العظـبمِ وبحَمْده

5. Then you stand up momentarily to say once:

Allah has already heard the one who Praised Him Sami'a Allaahu Li'man Hamidah	سمع الله لمَنْ حَمِده
Our Lord, You are the Most Praiseworthy Rabbana Laka Al-Hamd	ربَّنا لكَ الحَمْد

Having said that, you say:

Allah is the Greatest

Allaahu Akbar

الله أكبر

6. After this, you do Sujood. This means you go to your knees and prostrate in such a way that you place the palms of your hands on the floor in front of you and place your forehead on the floor in between your hands (on a clean natural spot). Your knees and the tips of your toes should also touch the floor.

During Sujood you say three times:

Glory be to my Lord the Most High and His is the Praise

Subhaana Rabbiya Al-A'la wa Bi-Hamdih

سبحان ربِّيَ ألأعلى وبحَمْده

7. You sit up momentarily and place your hands on your thighs with your feet under you. Now you say:

Having said that, you say:

Allah is the Greatest Allaahu Akbar	الله أكبر
After a few seconds you do Sujood again and say:
Allah is the Greatest Allaahu Akbar	الله أكبر

8. You repeat the Sujood, saying the same phrase three times as done with every Sujood, that is:

Glory be to my Lord the Most High and His is the Praise

Subhaana Rabbiya Al-A'la wa Bi-Hamdih

سبحان ربِّيَ ألأعلى وبحَمْده

9. Finally, rise to a standing position while saying:

Allah is the Greatest

Allaahu Akbar

الله اكبر

The nine steps above constitute the first Rak'a of each Salat. The second Rak'a of each Salat is the same as the first except that you begin with Surah Al-Fatiha (step 2) and end at the Sujood (step 8).

III: The Second Rak'a

1. Start by Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِِ

In Allah's Name, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Bismil Laah Al-Rahman Al-Rahim

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, Al-Hamdu Lil-Laahi Rabb Al-Aalameen	الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
the Gracious, the Merciful; Al-Rahman Al-Rahim	الرَّحْمـنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Master of the Day of Judgment Maaliki Yawm Al-Deen	مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ
Verily, You do we worship, and Your help do we seek. Iyyaka Na'budu Wa Iyyaka Nasta'een	إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
Guide us along the straight path, Ihdina Al-Siraatal Mustaqeem	اهدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيمَ
the path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your grace, Siraatal Ladheena An'amta Alayhim	صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمتَ عَلَيهِمْ
with whom You are not angry, nor who go astray. Ghayril Magh'dhubi Alayhim Wa La Al-Dhaalleen	غَيرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ

2. You follow the above by Surah Al-Ikhlaas:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِِ

In Allah's Name, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Bismil Laah Al-Rahman Al-Rahim

Say: He is Allah the One Qul Huwa Allaahu Ahad	قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
Allah who is essential to all Allaahu Al-Samad	اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ
He begets not nor is He begotten Lam Yalid wa Lam Yulad	لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ
And there is none equal to Him Wa lam Yakun Lahu Ku'fowan Ahad.	وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ

3. Before bowing for Rukoo' you say one time:

Allah is the Greatest

Allaahu Akbar

الله أكبر

4. During Rukoo' you repeat three times:

Glory be to my Lord most Great and His is the Praise

Subhaana Rabbiya Al-Adheemi wa Bi-Hamdih

سبحان ربِيَ العظـبمِ وبحَمْده

5. Then you stand up momentarily to say once:

Allah has already heard the one who Praised Him Sami'a Allaahu Li'man Hamidah	سمع الله لمَنْ حَمِده
Our Lord, You are the Most Praiseworthy Rabbana Laka Al-Hamd	ربَّنا لكَ الحَمْد

Having said that, you say:

Allah is the Greatest

Allaahu Akbar

الله أكبر

6. You do Sujood and say three times:

Glory be to my Lord the Most High and His is the Praise

Subhaana Rabbiya Al-A'la wa Bi-Hamdih

سبحان ربِّيَ ألأعلى وبحَمْده

7. You sit up momentarily and place your hands on your thighs with your feet under you. Now you say:

Allah is the Greatest Allaahu Akbar	الله أكبر
After a few seconds you do Sujood again and say:
Allah is the Greatest Allaahu Akbar	الله أكبر

8. You repeat the Sujood, saying the same phrase three times as done with every Sujood, that is:

Glory be to my Lord the Most High and His is the Praise

Subhaana Rabbiya Al-A'la wa Bi-Hamdih

سبحان ربِّيَ ألأعلى وبحَمْده

Now the second Rak'a is finished. Sit on your feet in such a way that the big toe of the right foot touches the floor while sitting on your left leg. The outer side of your left foot should also touch the floor.

While in this position place the palms of your hands on your thighs. This is the position called Juloos. Here you say Al-Tashah'hud followed by Al-Tasleem.

1. The TASHAH'HUD is said following any first two Rak'as. It is also said at the end of the Salat.

2. The TASLEEM is always said following the Tashah'hud to conclude the Salat.

IV: Al-Tashah'hud

Tashah'hud
Al-Tashah'hud follows not only the second Rak'a but also when the Salat is to be finished. It is said as follows:
Greetings be to Allah, and all Worship and all Goodness Al-Tahiyyatu Lil-Laahi Wa-Salawaatu wal Tayyibaatu	التحيات لله والصلوات والطيبات
Peace, Blessings, and Allah's Grace As-Salaamu Alayka Ayyuha Nabiyyo	السلام عليك أيها النبي
be Unto you O' Prophet Wa Rahmatul Laahi wa Barakatuh	ورحمة الله وبركاته
Peace be Unto us As-Salaamu Alayna	السلام علينا
Wa Ala Ibaadil Laahi Al Saaliheen and Unto the Good Servants of Allah	وعلى عباد الله الصالحين
I Declare That There is no Deity Except Allah Ash'hadu Ann Laa Ilaaha illa Laah (Raise index finger here)	أشهد أن لاإله إلا الله
He is One and Without a Partner Wahdahu Laa Shareeka Lahu	وحده لا شريك له
and I Declare That Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger Wa Ash'hadu Anna Muhammadan Abduhu wa Rasooluh	وأشهد أن محمداً عبده ورسوله

V: The Third Rak'a

To say the third Rak'a, you rise to a standing position and begin again with Surah Al-Fatiha:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِِ

In Allah's Name, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Bismil Laah Al-Rahman Al-Rahim

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, Al-Hamdu Lil-Laahi Rabb Al-Aalameen	الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
the Gracious, the Merciful; Al-Rahman Al-Rahim	الرَّحْمـنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Master of the Day of Judgment Maaliki Yawm Al-Deen	مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ
Verily, You do we worship, and Your help do we seek. Iyyaka Na'budu Wa Iyyaka Nasta'een	إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
Guide us along the straight path, Ihdina Al-Siraatal Mustaqeem	اهدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيمَ
the path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your grace, Siraatal Ladheena An'amta Alayhim	صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمتَ عَلَيهِمْ
with whom You are not angry, nor who go astray. Ghayril Magh'dhubi Alayhim Wa La Al-Dhaalleen	غَيرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ

2. Before bowing for Rukoo' you say one time:

Allah is the Greatest

Allaahu Akbar

الله أكبر

3. During Rukoo' you repeat three times:

Glory be to my Lord most Great and His is the Praise

Subhaana Rabbiya Al-Adheemi wa Bi-Hamdih

سبحان ربِيَ العظـبمِ وبحَمْده

4. Then you stand up momentarily to say once:

Allah has already heard the one who Praised Him Sami'a Allaahu Li'man Hamidah	سمع الله لمَنْ حَمِده
Our Lord, You are the Most Praiseworthy Rabbana Laka Al-Hamd	ربَّنا لكَ الحَمْد

Having said that, you say:

Allah is the Greatest

Allaahu Akbar

الله أكبر

5. You do Sujood and say three times:

Glory be to my Lord the Most High and His is the Praise

Subhaana Rabbiya Al-A'la wa Bi-Hamdih

سبحان ربِّيَ ألأعلى وبحَمْده

6. You sit up momentarily and place your hands on your thighs with your feet under you. Now you say:

Allah is the Greatest Allaahu Akbar	الله أكبر
After a few seconds you do Sujood again and say:
Allah is the Greatest Allaahu Akbar	الله أكبر

7. You repeat the Sujood, saying the same phrase three times as done with every Sujood, that is:

Glory be to my Lord the Most High and His is the Praise

Subhaana Rabbiya Al-A'la wa Bi-Hamdih

سبحان ربِّيَ ألأعلى وبحَمْده

VI: The Fourth Rak'a

To say the fourth Rak'a, you rise to a standing position and begin again with Surah Al-Fatiha:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِِ

In Allah's Name, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Bismil Laah Al-Rahman Al-Rahim

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, Al-Hamdu Lil-Laahi Rabb Al-Aalameen	الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
the Gracious, the Merciful; Al-Rahman Al-Rahim	الرَّحْمـنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Master of the Day of Judgment Maaliki Yawm Al-Deen	مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ
Verily, You do we worship, and Your help do we seek. Iyyaka Na'budu Wa Iyyaka Nasta'een	إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
Guide us along the straight path, Ihdina Al-Siraatal Mustaqeem	اهدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيمَ
the path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your grace, Siraatal Ladheena An'amta Alayhim	صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمتَ عَلَيهِمْ
with whom You are not angry, nor who go astray. Ghayril Magh'dhubi Alayhim Wa La Al-Dhaalleen	غَيرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ

2. Before bowing for Rukoo' you say one time:

Allah is the Greatest

Allaahu Akbar

الله أكبر

3. During Rukoo' you repeat three times:

Glory be to my Lord most Great and His is the Praise

Subhaana Rabbiya Al-Adheemi wa Bi-Hamdih

سبحان ربِيَ العظـبمِ وبحَمْده

4. Then you stand up momentarily to say once:

Allah has already heard the one who Praised Him Sami'a Allaahu Li'man Hamidah	سمع الله لمَنْ حَمِده
Our Lord, You are the Most Praiseworthy Rabbana Laka Al-Hamd	ربَّنا لكَ الحَمْد

Having said that, you say:

Allah is the Greatest

Allaahu Akbar

الله أكبر

5. You do Sujood and say three times:

Glory be to my Lord the Most High and His is the Praise

Subhaana Rabbiya Al-A'la wa Bi-Hamdih

سبحان ربِّيَ ألأعلى وبحَمْده

6. You sit up momentarily and place your hands on your thighs with your feet under you. Now you say:

Allah is the Greatest Allaahu Akbar	الله أكبر
After a few seconds you do Sujood again and say:
Allah is the Greatest Allaahu Akbar	الله أكبر

7. You repeat the Sujood, saying the same phrase three times as done with every Sujood, that is:

Glory be to my Lord the Most High and His is the Praise

Subhaana Rabbiya Al-A'la wa Bi-Hamdih

سبحان ربِّيَ ألأعلى وبحَمْده

Now the fourth Rak'a is finished. Sit on your feet in such a way that the big toe of the right foot touches the floor while sitting on your left leg. The outer side of your left foot should also touch the floor.

Since Salat of Asr is to be finished, follow Al-Tashah'hud by Al-Tasleem to bring it to conclusion.

VII: Al-Tashah'hud

Tashah'hud
Al-Tashah'hud follows not only the second Rak'a but also when the Salat is to be finished. It is said as follows:
Greetings be to Allah, and all Worship and all Goodness Al-Tahiyyatu Lil-Laahi Wa-Salawaatu wal Tayyibaatu	التحيات لله والصلوات والطيبات
Peace, Blessings, and Allah's Grace As-Salaamu Alayka Ayyuha Nabiyyo	السلام عليك أيها النبي
be Unto you O' Prophet Wa Rahmatul Laahi wa Barakatuh	ورحمة الله وبركاته
Peace be Unto us As-Salaamu Alayna	السلام علينا
Wa Ala Ibaadil Laahi Al Saaliheen and Unto the Good Servants of Allah	وعلى عباد الله الصالحين
I Declare That There is no Deity Except Allah Ash'hadu Ann Laa Ilaaha illa Laah (Raise index finger here)	أشهد أن لاإله إلا الله
He is One and Without a Partner Wahdahu Laa Shareeka Lahu	وحده لا شريك له
and I Declare That Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger Wa Ash'hadu Anna Muhammadan Abduhu wa Rasooluh	وأشهد أن محمداً عبده ورسوله

Tasleem is to follow the Tashah'hud to conclude the Salat

VIII: Al-Tasleem

Tasleem
Al-Tasleem is said to conclude the Salat. It is always said after the Tashah'hud. It is said in the following manner:
O' Lord! Bless our leader Muhammad Allahumma Salli Ala Sayyidina Muhammad	اللهم صلِّ على محمدٍ
and the Descendants of our leader Muhammad Wa Ala Aali Sayyidina Muhammad	وآل محمد
As You have Blessed our leader Ibrahim Kama Sallayta Ala Sayyidina Ibrahim	كما صليت على إبراهيم
and the descendants of our leader Ibrahim Wa Ala Aali Sayyidina Ibrahim	وآل إبراهيم
and Endow Your Abundance to our leader Muhammad Wa Baarik Ala Sayyidina Muhammad	وبارك على محمدٍ
and the descendants of our leader Muhammad Wa Ala Aali Sayyidina Muhammad	وآل محمد
As You endowed Your Abundance to our leader Ibrahim Kama Baarekta Ala Sayyidina Ibrahim	كما باركت على إبراهيم
and the descendants of our leader Ibrahim Wa Ala Aali Sayyidina Ibrahim	وآل إبراهيم
throughout the world fi Al-Aalameen	في العالمين
Verily You are the One to be Praised and Glorified Innaka Hameedun Majeed	إنك حميدٌ مجيد
Peace be unto you and so will Allah's mercy Al-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatul Laah (Upon saying this, slowly turn your head to the right.)	السلامُ عليكُم ورحمةُ الله
Peace be unto you and so will Allah's mercy Al-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatul Laah (Upon saying this, slowly turn your head to the left.)	السلامُ عليكُم ورحمةُ الله

You have now completed Asr Salat.