Hadith Evidence
Narration from Sahih al-Bukhari:Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abi Qatadah (رضي الله عنه) narrates from his father that:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite Surah Al-Fatihah and two other Surahs in the first two Rak‘ahs of Dhuhr prayer, making the first Rak‘ah longer than the second. Sometimes, he would audibly recite an Ayah. In Asr prayer, he would also recite Surah Al-Fatihah and two Surahs. In Fajr, he would make the first Rak‘ah long and the second shorter."
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 762, 759, 776, 778, 779; Sahih Muslim: 451]
Key Rulings & Benefits
The first two Rak‘ahs of Dhuhr prayer are relatively long, with Surah Al-Fatihah and two longer Surahs being recited. The second Rak‘ah is slightly shorter than the first.In Asr prayer, Surah Al-Fatihah and two Surahs are also recited.
The Fajr prayer is generally long, with the first Rak‘ah being longer than the second.
The names of the obligatory prayers (Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr) are derived from Islamic sources based on the Quran and Sunnah.
In silent (Sirri) obligatory prayers like Dhuhr and Asr, it is permissible to sometimes recite an Ayah audibly.
Reason for Audible Recitation in Silent Prayers
This occasional loud recitation serves as a reminder and educational practice for those praying behind the Imam, making them aware that Quranic verses are being recited in Dhuhr and Asr as well.
This ruling is taken from "Diya al-Islam fi Sharh al-Ilmam bi-Ahadith al-Ahkam" by Shaykh Taqi al-Din Abi al-Fath, translated by Maulana Mahmood Ahmad Ghaznfar.