Reading the Intention of Asr Prayer in Congregation and Alone, Also Learn the Implementation Procedures

Kapanlagi.com - Fard prayer consists of five times, namely Subuh, Dzuhur, Ashar, Maghrib, and Isya. Fard prayer has a specific number of rak'ahs, starting from two rak'ahs to four rak'ahs. One of them is Ashar prayer, which is a four-rak'ah fard prayer that can be performed during the Ashar time. Before performing it, the first step is to read the intention for Ashar prayer, whether in congregation or individually.

Fard prayer is an obligation for every Muslim to fulfill. This has been explained in several evidences, both from the verses of the Quran and the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad. The importance and obligation of fard prayer are emphasized by Allah SWT, who even provides ease and flexibility for His servants to perform it.

For example, through combining prayers, shortening prayers, or making up missed prayers. Yes, these are the ease and flexibility in fulfilling fard prayer, intended to enable Muslims to still perform the obligatory prayers in urgent situations.

In this case, we are discussing Ashar prayer, which is performed after Dzuhur prayer. It means that the Asr prayer can be performed at the time of Asr, which is from the length of a shadow of an object being the same as the object itself until the approaching of evening or sunset.

As for the recitation of the intention for the Asr prayer, it needs to be adjusted based on its implementation, whether in congregation or individually. For more details, here is the recitation of the intention for the congregational and individual Asr prayer that has been summarized by kapanlagi.com from various sources.

1. Time and Deadline for Asr Prayer

(credit: freepik.com)

Every obligatory prayer has a specific time and deadline for Muslims to perform. One of them is the Asr prayer, which is performed after the Dhuhr prayer or more precisely, when the shadow of an object is the same length as the object itself until the sunset.

In this case, there is a deadline for the Asr prayer that Muslims need to know. The deadline for the Asr prayer is mentioned to occur when the sun starts to set. The following is the text of the hadith regarding the timing of the Asr prayer:

From Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

"Whoever manages to perform one Rak'ah of the Fajr prayer before the sunrise, then he has indeed performed the Fajr prayer (within its time). Whoever manages to perform one Rak'ah of the Asr prayer before the sunset, then he has indeed performed the Asr prayer (within its time)." (Narrated by Bukhari)

In addition, some scholars say that it is disliked to perform the Asr prayer when the sunlight starts to turn yellowish-red, which indicates that the sun is about to set.

2. Intention of Prayer Including the Pillar of the Heart

(credit: freepik.com)

Before performing obligatory or voluntary prayers, every Muslim is advised to recite the intention of prayer. Because the intention of prayer is part of the pillars of prayer that must be fulfilled. Where in the pillars of prayer, three types are known, namely qauli, qalbi, and fi'li. In this case, the intention of prayer is included in the pillar of the heart or qalbi. For a clearer understanding of the division of the pillars of prayer, they are as follows:

Pillar of Qauli (verbal/recitation)

1. Takbiratul ihram

2. Reciting Al Fatihah

3. Reciting the Final Tashahhud

4. Sending blessings upon the Prophet in the final tashahhud

5. Salam

Pillar of Qalbi (recited with the heart)

1. Intention

2. Order

Pillar of Fi'li (action)

1. Qiyam (standing)

2. Rukuk (bowing)

3. I'tidal (standing upright after bowing)

4. Sujud (prostration)

5. Sitting between two prostrations

6. Sitting and reciting the final tashahhud

3. Reading Intention for Congregational Asr Prayer

(credit: pixabay.com)

As is known, performing the obligatory prayer can be done individually or in congregation. When you perform the obligatory prayer in congregation, there is an intention for the prayer that can be recited. This is because it is one of the pillars of prayer that needs to be done before performing the prayer.

The intention for congregational Asr prayer includes two things, namely the intention for Asr prayer as an imam and the intention for Asr prayer as a follower. Therefore, it is important for you to understand how to recite the intention for congregational Asr prayer, whether as an imam or a follower. The following is the recitation for congregational Asr prayer.

Recitation for the intention of Asr prayer as an imam:

"Ushallii fardhal 'Ashri arba'a raka'atin mustaqbilal qiblati imaaman lilaahi ta'aalaa."

Meaning:

"I (intend to) perform four units of obligatory Asr prayer facing the qibla, as an imam for the sake of Allah Ta'ala."

Recitation for the intention of Asr prayer as a follower:

"Ushallii fardhal 'Ashri arba'a raka'atin mustaqbilal qiblati makmuuman lillaahi ta'aalaa."

Meaning:

"I (intend to) perform four units of obligatory Asr prayer facing the qibla, as a follower for the sake of Allah Ta'ala."

4. Reading the intention of praying Ashar alone

(credit: freepik.com)

In addition to praying in congregation, Ashar prayer can also be performed alone. However, the prayer recitation is slightly different from the intention of Ashar prayer when praying in congregation. Here is the recitation of the intention of praying Ashar alone.

"Ushalli fardhol 'ashri arba'a raka'atin mustaqbilalqiblati adaan lillaahi ta'ala."

Meaning: "I (intend to) perform four units of obligatory prayer of Ashar facing the qibla, on time for the sake of Allah Ta'ala."

5. Procedures for Ashar Prayer

(credit: freepik.com)

After understanding the timing and intention of Ashar prayer, you can immediately perform this obligatory prayer according to its procedures. The number of units for Ashar prayer is four units, which can be performed in congregation or alone. Here are the procedures for Ashar prayer.

- Recite the intention of Ashar prayer.

- Takbiratul ihram (saying Allahu Akbar to start the prayer).

- Recite the opening supplication (dua iftitah).

- Recite Surah Al-Fatihah.

- Recite a surah from the Quran.

- Perform the bowing (ruku').

- Stand up straight after bowing (i'tidal).

- Perform the prostration (sujud).

- Sit between the two prostrations.

- Perform the prostration (sujud) again.

- Stand up to perform the second unit.

- The procedure for the second unit is the same as the first unit, except that the second unit has an initial tashahhud after the second prostration.

- Then, stand up again to perform the third unit.

- The procedure for the third unit is the same as the first unit, without tashahhud.

- Then, stand up again to perform the fourth unit.

- The procedure for the fourth unit is the same as the first unit, but with the final tashahhud after the second prostration.

- Conclude with the salutation in the fourth unit.

That is the recitation of the intention for Ashar prayer in congregation and alone, along with the procedures for performing it. By knowing the timing, intention, and procedures of Ashar prayer, it can facilitate you in performing it.

(kpl/nlw)