THE FIQH DEPARTMENT

In the Name of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful.
Although every Fiqh opinion is based on evidence, often times, the scholars differ in their views. This room for differences is a mercy from Allah, and as long as there is evidence to support an opinion, then we must respect scholars' views, even if we may not always agree.
The Prophet (SAW) said:
"Whoever performs Ijtihad and errs will receive one reward. Whoever performs Ijtihad and arrives at the correct answer gets double the reward"
(Bukhari) 
Is the Sunnah of the ‘Asr Prayer Recommended? PDF Print E-mail
Fiqh: Islamic Jurisprudence - Salah
Written by Ibn Taymiyyah   

Question:

Is the Sunnah of the ‘Asr prayer recommended?

Answer:

The Prophet (Sallalaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) did not used to pray anything before the ‘Asr prayer. Rather he would pray either two rak’ahs before Dhuhr or four rak’ahs after it. He would pray two rak’ahs after Maghrib and likewise after ‘Ishaa he would pray two rak’ahs as well as two rak’ahs before Fajr. As for before ‘Asr and before Maghrib and before ‘Ishaa; then he would not pray anything.

However; it is established from him in the ((Saheeh)) that he said: ((There is between every two adhaans a prayer)), then he said on the third time: ((For whomsoever wishes)) – out of dislike that the people should take it as a Sunnah. So whosoever wishes to pray willingly (voluntarily) before ‘Asr, then that is good, but he should not take that as a Sunnah, and Allaah knows best.

 

Shaykh ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah

Al-Fataawaa al-Kubraa vol.1 p.174