Ibn Majah

Commentary:
(1)
The meaning of the sun being bright is that there was no yellowness in its color; rather, it would be white. Whereas, in the case of delay, the color of the sun changes and becomes yellow or red.

(2) (Awali)
By "Awali" is meant some outlying settlements of Madinah which are situated in the direction of Najd from Madinah. Some of these settlements are at a distance of two or three miles, some at four miles or more, and the greatest distance is eight miles.

(3)
From this narration, there is no clear determination of the time of ‘Asr, because the distances of the Awali settlements from each other are very different. In addition, during different seasons of the year, the time between ‘Asr and Maghrib also varies somewhat. However, it is certainly clear from this that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to perform the ‘Asr prayer at its earliest time. But what exactly was this earliest time? Its clarification is found in that narration in which the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) performed the Zuhr prayer immediately after the sun had declined, and performed the ‘Asr prayer when the shadow of everything became equal to its length. (Sunan an-Nasa’i, al-Mawaqit, Chapter: The Earliest Time of ‘Asr, Hadith: 505)
From this, the earliest time of the ‘Asr prayer is certainly determined, and that is when (after subtracting the original shadow) the shadow becomes equal to the length of the object.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
The specification of the distance regarding ‘Awali is from Imam Zuhri rahimahullah; it is not part of the hadith. ‘Awali referred to the area surrounding Madinah Munawwarah where, on the eastern side, the houses of the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) were located. This area was situated at a distance of 2 to 8 miles from Madinah Tayyibah. In contrast, the area on the western side was called Sawafil. When the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would perform the ‘Asr prayer, the sun would still be high and its brightness would not have diminished. Even if any of the followers (muqtadis) went as far as the area of ‘Awali, the sun would still be high, though somewhat less elevated than before, but still at such a height that it would be described as being high in the sky. This is a clear proof that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would hasten in performing the ‘Asr prayer, because even after covering a distance of four miles after the prayer, the sun would still be described as high in the sky. (Fath al-Bari: 2/39)

(2)
In one narration, the statement of Anas radi Allahu anhu is transmitted; he says: When the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would lead us in the ‘Asr prayer, the sun would still be white and high. After completing the prayer, I would go to my people who lived on the other side of Madinah and tell them regarding the prayer that we had already finished the prayer, so you should also perform it. After this hadith, Imam Tahawi rahimahullah writes: We know that the people of Anas radi Allahu anhu would perform the prayer before the sun turned yellow. From this, it is understood that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would perform the ‘Asr prayer very early. (Sharh Ma‘ani al-Athar: 1/112)

Hadith Commentary:
The place where the blessed feet of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam reached attained historical significance.

Translation:
The relevance to the chapter is that there were large villages around Madhanah. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam visited them as well, so they too acquired a historical eminence.

Hadith Commentary:
('Awali, 'Aaliyah) is the plural form.
By this is meant those villages which are situated in the elevated areas around Madinah Tayyibah.
There were large villages in the surroundings of Madinah; the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to visit there, and wherever his blessed feet reached, those places attained historical significance. That is, the 'Awali of Madinah also possess historical greatness and honor because they are associated with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
(1)
al-shamsu hayyah:
The sun was alive,
meaning its color had not yet turned yellowish or reddish; it still possessed heat and warmth.
(2)
‘Awāli:
The settlements of Madinah towards the direction of Najd were situated on elevated ground,
therefore they were called ‘Awāli.
The nearest settlements were located at a distance of two or three miles, and the farther settlements
were at a distance of six to eight miles.

507. Commentary: From this hadith, it is understood that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would perform the ‘Asr prayer as soon as the shadow of an object became equal to its length, whereas the people of Quba, due to work and other engagements, would perform the prayer somewhat later. Thus, it is permissible to perform the prayer before the sun turns yellow without any dislike (karahah), but the best (afdal) is to perform the prayer as soon as the shadow reaches its first length, because this was the practice of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).

553. Commentary:

➊ In that era, people had started performing the ‘Asr prayer with delay, therefore it was said that your ‘Asr prayer was between your current Zuhr and ‘Asr, meaning he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to perform it much earlier than your present ‘Asr time.

➋ “One’s sight could see far.” This does not refer to the last time for the Fajr (morning) prayer, but rather to the time when he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would finish the prayer, as if to say the preferred time for the Fajr prayer would end.

508. Commentary: By "Awali" is meant those suburban settlements of Madinah which were inhabited in the elevated outskirts of Madinah Munawwarah. They were at least two miles and at most up to eight miles away.

545. Commentary: By "the break of dawn" is also meant the true dawn (subh sadiq).