Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
I have a class from 6PM to 10PM on certain days. I have to pray both Asr and Maghrib during this time and inevitably miss out from class as I duck outside to pray Asr and Maghrib. Regarding this I had a few questions:
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
1. Yes, there is nothing wrong with praying Asr some or all the time on the earlier Asr timing: it is a valid position within the Hanafi school itself. (Search for early Asr time’ at www.sunnipath.com.)
2. The minimum necessary recitation in the first 2 rakats of the obligatory prayer is
a) the Fatiha, and
b) the extent of 3 short verses.
Note that it is sufficient in the Hanafi school to simply do 3 tabihs in the 3rd or 4th rakats of the obligatory prayer.
3. One does not leave the sunnas within the prayer when making up missed prayers. However, one is not called upon to make up missed sunna prayers from the past. However, it is from the perfection of faith to feel a sense of remorse for having missed out on this tremendous means of drawing closer to Allah.
Feeling Allah’s Love
Details may be found on www.sunnipath.com.
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani