There is a specific importance of Salat Al-’Asr mentioned in both the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Allah says in Surat Al-Baqarah, “Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient.”
The more correct scholarly opinion is the ‘middle’ prayer is the ‘Asr prayer. Therefore, even though we’re commanded to maintain care for all prayers, we must also devote extra care not to delay or miss ‘Asr.
In a narration by Al-Bukhari, the Prophet (salah allahu ‘alayhi wa salam) said: ‘Whoever abandons ‘Asr prayer, his deeds of worship become void’.
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Yes, it could be as serious as having all your previous good deeds become void and hence vanish. We should not be so careless that we continually delay praying ’Asr until after its time.
Although ’Asr could be a delicate time for many us as you find some taking their mid-day nap or find others busy at work, we should still be careful to pray it on time and as prescribed.
Ibn Taymiyah, rahimahu Allah, said: “Missing ‘Asr is greater than missing others because it is the middle prayer that has specifically been mentioned to be cared for. It is the prayer which was prescribed for those who came before us, and they abandoned it.” [Majmoo' Al-Fatawa, 54/22]
In another hadith narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim, the Prophet (salah allahu ‘alayhi wa salam) said: ‘Whoever misses the ‘Asr prayer, it is as if he had lost his family and wealth’.
However, as severe as it is to miss the prayer as great the reward it is when you maintain it regularly. The objective is to maintain in the best manner by performing all our prayers on time, perfecting our ablution, praying in the mosque, and praying with utmost humility and consciousness.
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