Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

Ibrahim bin Muhammad bin Muntashir narrates that my father used to pray two rak‘ahs after ‘Asr. He was asked (why do you pray this salah)? He said: If I prayed these two rak‘ahs only because I saw Masruq praying them, even that would have been a reliable reason. But I also asked Sayyidah ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) about this, and she said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) never abandoned two rak‘ahs before Fajr and two rak‘ahs after ‘Asr.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade performing prayer after ‘Asr, except if the sun is high.

It is narrated from a companion of the Messenger of Allah that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) led the ‘Asr prayer. (After the salam) a man immediately started to pray. Sayyiduna ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) saw him and said: “Sit down! The People of the Book were destroyed because there was no interval in their prayers.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Ibn Khattab did well.”

Abdullah bin Rabah narrates from a companion that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) led the Asr prayer. A man immediately stood up to offer more prayer. Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) saw him and, grabbing his sheet or garment, said: "Sit down. The People of the Book were destroyed because there was no interval in their prayers." The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Ibn Khattab did well." And in another narration: "(Ibn Khattab) spoke the truth."