2/6. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 160 — Avoid Delaying Asr
What Has Been Related About Hastening Asr Prayer
Hadith About the Prayer of the Hypocrite
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 160
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 160
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ حُجْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنِ الْعَلاَءِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، أَنَّهُ دَخَلَ عَلَى أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ فِي دَارِهِ بِالْبَصْرَةِ حِينَ انْصَرَفَ مِنَ الظُّهْرِ وَدَارُهُ بِجَنْبِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَقَالَ قُومُوا فَصَلُّوا الْعَصْرَ . قَالَ فَقُمْنَا فَصَلَّيْنَا فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفْنَا قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " تِلْكَ صَلاَةُ الْمُنَافِقِ يَجْلِسُ يَرْقُبُ الشَّمْسَ حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَتْ بَيْنَ قَرْنَىِ الشَّيْطَانِ قَامَ فَنَقَرَ أَرْبَعًا لاَ يَذْكُرُ اللَّهَ فِيهَا إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ .
Al-Ala bin Abdur-Raman Narrated from:
Al-Ala bin Abdur-Raman narrated that : He Visited Anas Bin Malik In His Home In Al Basrah After Finishing Zuhr, And His Home Was Next To The Masjid. So He Said: 'Stand To Pray Asr." He (Al-Ala) Said: "So We Stood To Pray. When We Were Finished He (Anas) Said: 'I Heard Allah'S Messenger Saying: "That Is The Prayer Of The Hypocrite. He Sits Watching The Sun, Until When It Is Between The Horns Of The Shaitan He Stands And Pecks Out Four (Units Of Prayer), Not Remembering Allah In Them But A Little."
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 160In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 12English translation : Vol. 1, Book 2, Hadith 160
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 160
This hadith about the prayer of the hypocrite warns against delaying Asr until the sun is near setting. Anas bin Malik told people to stand and pray Asr after Zuhr had finished. When they finished, he quoted the Prophet: that is the prayer of the hypocrite, who sits watching the sun until it is between the horns of the Shaitan, then stands and pecks four units, remembering Allah only a little. The wording is strong, so the lesson is clear. Asr should not be treated carelessly, rushed at the last moment, or prayed with only a little remembrance.
What we learn from this hadith
- Asr should not be delayed carelessly until near sunset.
- Rushed prayer with little remembrance is strongly warned against.
- Anas encouraged praying Asr without unnecessary delay.
- The hadith links late, hurried prayer with a blameworthy habit.
