2/5. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 404 — Asr While Sun Is High
The Time For 'Asr Prayer
Asr Prayer Time When the Sun Is Still High
Sunan Abi Dawud : 404
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 404
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّهُ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يُصَلِّي الْعَصْرَ وَالشَّمْسُ بَيْضَاءُ مُرْتَفِعَةٌ حَيَّةٌ وَيَذْهَبُ الذَّاهِبُ إِلَى الْعَوَالِي وَالشَّمْسُ مُرْتَفِعَةٌ .
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to say the 'Asr prayer when the sun was high and bright and living, then one would go off to al-'Awali and get there while the sun was still high.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 404In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 14English translation : Book 2, Hadith 404
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 404
This hadith explains the timing of Asr prayer through a clear scene. Anas b. Malik says that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم used to pray Asr when the sun was white, high, bright, and living. The report then adds that a person could go to al-'Awali and arrive while the sun was still high. For readers looking for an Asr prayer time hadith, this narration shows that Asr was prayed while there was still strong daylight. The text does not speak about the end of Asr or any penalty for delay. It simply paints a clear picture of the Prophet's صلى الله عليه وسلم Asr prayer being offered before the sun became low or dim.
What we learn from this hadith
- Asr was prayed while the sun was still high and bright.
- The journey to al-'Awali shows there was still daylight after prayer.
- The hadith gives a practical time picture, not only a clock rule.
- The report points to praying Asr before the sun becomes weak.
