Hadith Text

"The one who misses 'Asr prayer, it is as if he has been robbed of his family and his wealth."

Narrated from Ibn 'Umar that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said this.

Scholarly Commentary

This profound hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i employs a powerful analogy to emphasize the gravity of neglecting the 'Asr prayer. The comparison to losing one's family and wealth strikes at the core of human attachments, indicating that missing this prayer is a spiritual catastrophe of similar magnitude.

The 'Asr prayer holds special significance as it occurs during the day's decline, serving as a reminder of life's transience and the approaching evening of one's existence. Scholars note that this timing makes it particularly vulnerable to neglect due to worldly preoccupations.

The severity expressed in this narration underscores that voluntary abandonment of 'Asr prayer constitutes major negligence in one's religious duties. Just as the loss of family and wealth brings utter devastation, so does the deliberate omission of this obligatory act of worship devastate one's spiritual state and connection with the Divine.

Legal Implications

Classical scholars unanimously agree that intentionally missing any obligatory prayer without valid excuse is a grave sin. The specific emphasis on 'Asr in this hadith may indicate its particular vulnerability to being neglected due to its timing during busy afternoon hours.

The ruling remains that one must make up missed prayers as soon as possible, though the spiritual loss described in the hadith cannot be fully recovered. The continuous performance of prayers at their prescribed times maintains the rhythm of faith throughout the believer's day.