Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Abdullah bin Harith narrates that I was present with Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) in the service of Hazrat Muawiyah. Hazrat Muawiyah seated them on the throne, then said to them: "What is the reality of these two rak‘ahs that people perform after ‘Asr? We have not seen the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) perform this prayer, nor did he command it." Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) replied: "Hazrat Ibn Zubair instructs people to perform this prayer." Hazrat Muawiyah called Hazrat Ibn Zubair and asked him about this matter, so he replied: "Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) informed me about it." Hazrat Muawiyah sent a message to Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), and she said: "Umm Salamah informed me about this." Hazrat Muawiyah sent a man to Hazrat Umm Salamah, and I also went with him. He asked Hazrat Umm Salamah, and she said: "May Allah have mercy on Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), how did she interpret it this way? I had told her that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade these two rak‘ahs. The real matter is that once the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was in my house and performed ablution for Zuhr. He had sent a man to collect zakat, and he returned with many Muhajireen gathered around him. He knocked on the door, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went outside and performed the Zuhr prayer. Then he sat and began distributing the wealth among the people until the time for ‘Asr arrived. When he finished, Bilal saw him and gave the iqamah for ‘Asr, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led the prayer. Then he came into my chamber and performed two rak‘ahs. When he finished the prayer, I asked: 'These two rak‘ahs that you have just performed, what are they? I have not seen you perform this prayer before.' He replied: 'The engagement with the collector of zakat prevented me from performing the two rak‘ahs after Zuhr, so I have performed them now.' Hazrat Ibn Zubair said: 'When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) performed them, I will certainly perform them too.'"