Question Summary
What should I do if I prayed ‘Asr but am not sure if the ‘Asr prayer time had entered beforehand?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
Of the conditions for a valid prayer is that one must be certain that the time has entered. It is not enough that one assumes that the time has entered. [Tahtawi,Shurunbulali; Hashiyat Maraqi al-Falah]
Allah Most High says, “…Indeed, performing prayers is a duty on the believers at the appointed times.” [Qur’an; 04:103]
Appointed time here means such stipulated times that nor delay past the time (for the one able to perform it) nor bringing it ahead of its time are valid. [Tahtawi,Shurunbulali; Hashiyat Maraqi al-Falah]
Moving Forward
Make up your ‘Asr prayer and strive to keep track of the prayer times. Any reasonable prayer app would suffice in this. You may even want to turn on the app’s notifications so you are certain of the time.
Another way to help with this is to call the adhan (the call to prayer) when the prayer time enters before praying.
The rewards of calling the adhan are plenty, and it also is a means to bring the heart to a state of presence in the prayer.
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Verily the one who calls to the prayer is forgiven to the extent their voice reaches, and every living and inanimate testifying to hearing him…” [Ahmad]
Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani