Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 7544 — Those who permitted two rakahs after

Abdullah bin al-Harith said: I went with Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) to Sayyiduna Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him). Mu'awiyah seated him on the couch, then said to him: What is the reality of these two rak'ahs that people pray after Asr? We never saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) pray this prayer, nor did he command it. Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: Ibn al-Zubayr instructs people to pray it. Mu'awiyah summoned Sayyiduna Ibn al-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him) and asked him about it, and he said: Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) told me about it. Mu'awiyah sent a message to Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), and she said: Umm Salamah told me about it. Mu'awiyah sent a man to Sayyidah Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her), and I went with him. He asked Umm Salamah, and Umm Salamah said: May Allah Almighty have mercy on Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her); how did she take it to mean this? I had told her that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade these two rak'ahs. What actually happened 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 zakah, and many of the Muhajirun had gathered with him, and their condition had made him concerned. Then there was a knock at the door; he went out and offered the Zuhr prayer. Then he sat down distributing that wealth among the people until it was time for the Asr prayer. When he had finished, Sayyiduna Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) saw him and called the iqamah for Asr, and he led the prayer. Then he came into my apartment and offered two rak'ahs. When he had finished praying, I said: What are these two rak'ahs that you have just offered? I have never seen you offer this prayer before. He said: "Being occupied with the zakah collector kept me from offering the two rak'ahs after Zuhr, and I have offered them now." Sayyiduna Ibn al-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Since the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) offered them, I will certainly pray them.