"Whoever catches up with two Rak'ahs of 'Asr prayer before the sun sets, or one Rak'ah of the Subh prayer before the sun rises, has caught it."
Hadith Text & Reference
"Whoever catches up with two Rak'ahs of 'Asr prayer before the sun sets, or one Rak'ah of the Subh prayer before the sun rises, has caught it."
Source: Sunan an-Nasa'i 514 | The Book of the Times (of Prayer)
Meaning & Significance
This hadith establishes the minimum requirement for a prayer to be considered valid when joining congregational prayer late. For 'Asr (afternoon prayer), catching two rak'ahs before sunset suffices to count as having prayed the entire prayer. For Fajr (dawn prayer), catching just one rak'ah before sunrise is sufficient.
The wisdom behind this ruling demonstrates Allah's mercy in facilitating worship for believers who arrive late to prayer, while still emphasizing the importance of praying within its prescribed time.
Juridical Rulings
According to the majority of scholars, one who catches part of the congregational prayer must complete what they missed after the imam concludes. The caught portion is considered valid, while the missed portion must be made up.
The distinction between two rak'ahs for 'Asr and one for Fajr relates to their respective total rak'ahs - four for 'Asr and two for Fajr. Thus, catching half or more of the prayer's rak'ahs within its time validates the entire prayer.
Spiritual Lessons
This teaching encourages Muslims to hasten to prayer even if they might be late, rather than abandoning it altogether. It reflects the principle that "the deed is judged by its conclusion" - what matters is completing the obligation within its appointed time.
The ruling also teaches about Allah's expansive mercy and the facilitation of religious practice in Islam, removing unnecessary hardship while maintaining the essential requirements of worship.