Asr Time Today | UK Asr Prayer Times

Asr is the afternoon prayer, the third of the five daily salah performed by Muslims. It falls between Dhuhr (midday prayer) and Maghrib (sunset prayer). To find today's Asr time for your UK location, select your city below from our comprehensive prayer timetable covering Farnborough, Bury, Stockport, Gillingham, Blackpool, Northampton, Hemel Hempstead and all major UK cities.

Prayer times vary across the UK depending on your geographical location and the time of year. During spring months like April, Asr times shift earlier as daylight hours increase. Use the interactive table below to find today's Asr prayer time for your city. Times are calculated using the Islamic Centre of England's methodology, which is widely followed across UK mosques and Islamic centres.

Major UK cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow and Edinburgh all have slightly different Asr times due to their varying latitudes and longitudes. Smaller cities like Farnborough, Bury, Stockport, Gillingham, Blackpool, Northampton and Hemel Hempstead are also included in our comprehensive timetable. Whether you're in an urban centre or a smaller town, you can find accurate Asr times tailored to your exact location.

Note that Asr times are typically provided in two formats: the beginning time (when Asr starts) and the Jamā'ah time (when the congregational prayer begins at your local mosque). The Jamā'ah time is usually 15-30 minutes after the beginning time to allow worshippers to gather. Always check with your local mosque for their specific Jamā'ah schedule, as it may differ slightly from the calculated beginning time.

One of the most important distinctions in calculating Asr time is the difference between the Hanafi and Shafi'i schools of Islamic jurisprudence. Both schools use different shadow ratios to determine when Asr begins, resulting in different prayer times. The Hanafi school, which is predominant in the UK and followed by most British mosques, calculates Asr based on when an object's shadow becomes twice its original length. The Shafi'i school, more common in parts of the Middle East and Southeast Asia, uses a shadow ratio of one times the object's length.

This means the Shafi'i Asr time typically begins 15-45 minutes earlier than the Hanafi time, depending on the season and your location. Most UK Islamic centres and mosques follow the Hanafi calculation, which is why it is the standard used across British prayer timetables. However, if you follow the Shafi'i school or are visiting from a region where Shafi'i is predominant, you may wish to pray Asr earlier. Our calculator includes a toggle option allowing you to switch between Hanafi and Shafi'i times so you can choose the calculation method that aligns with your madhab (school of Islamic law).

It is important to note that both times are valid according to Islamic law. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that there is flexibility in prayer times, and scholars have differed on the exact boundaries. Whichever calculation you follow, ensure consistency and inform your local imam of your preference so they can guide you appropriately.

Asr, meaning 'afternoon' in Arabic, is the fourth of the five daily prayers in Islam. It is one of the obligatory salah that every Muslim must perform. The Qur'an emphasises the importance of Asr prayer in several verses, including Surah Al-Baqarah (2:238) which states: 'Guard strictly your five obligatory prayers, especially the middle prayer (Asr).'

“Guard strictly your five obligatory prayers, especially the middle prayer (Asr). — Qur'an 2:238”

Asr consists of four rak'ahs (units of prayer) performed in congregation or individually. The prayer is performed in the afternoon, after the sun has passed its zenith and before sunset. Asr is particularly significant because it falls during a busy part of the day when many people are at work or engaged in daily activities, making it a test of one's commitment to faith and discipline.

To pray Asr, you must first perform wudu (ritual ablution), then face the Qibla (direction of the Kaaba in Mecca). The prayer involves standing, bowing, prostrating and sitting in a specific sequence, accompanied by Qur'anic recitations and supplications. Like all obligatory prayers, Asr can be prayed individually at home or in congregation at a mosque, though praying in congregation carries additional spiritual reward.

While Asr begins at a specific calculated time, Islamic jurisprudence recognises a window during which Asr can be prayed. The preferred time to pray Asr (the time of choice or 'waqt al-ikhtiyar') is early in the Asr period, soon after it begins. This is when the prayer carries the most virtue and is most encouraged by Islamic scholars and the Prophet's teachings.

However, there is also a permissible time (the time of necessity or 'waqt al-darurah') that extends until sunset. If you are unable to pray Asr during the preferred window due to work, travel or other commitments, you can still pray it during the extended window. The last time to pray Asr is just before the sun sets and Maghrib begins. It is important not to delay Asr prayer unnecessarily, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned against negligence in prayer times.

Many UK workers find it challenging to pray Asr during work hours. If this applies to you, consider speaking with your employer about prayer breaks, as many UK employers are accommodating of religious observance. Alternatively, you can pray Asr immediately upon returning home or during a lunch break if possible. The key is to pray within the designated time window and not to deliberately postpone it without valid reason.

Asr is one of five daily prayers in Islam. To find complete prayer timetables for all five salah in your UK location, explore our comprehensive prayer time hubs. Each prayer has its own significance and time window. Understanding the full prayer schedule helps you plan your day and ensure you don't miss any obligatory prayers.

Our related prayer time resources include Fajr (dawn prayer), Dhuhr (midday prayer), Maghrib (sunset prayer) and Isha (night prayer). Each has its own calculation methodology and time window. Whether you're looking for today's prayer times or planning ahead for the week, our UK prayer timetables provide accurate, location-specific information for all five daily salah.

What time does Asr start today in London?

Asr times in London vary throughout the year based on the sun's position. In April, Asr typically begins in the mid-to-late afternoon. For today's exact Asr time in London, please check our interactive prayer timetable above, which provides real-time calculations based on your location.

Can I pray Asr after sunset?

No, Asr must be prayed before sunset. Once the sun sets, the time for Asr ends and Maghrib (sunset prayer) begins. If you have not prayed Asr before sunset, you must make it up (qada) as soon as possible, preferably before praying Isha.

Is there a difference between Hanafi and Shafi'i Asr times?

Yes, there is a significant difference. The Hanafi school calculates Asr based on a shadow ratio of 2:1, while the Shafi'i school uses 1:1. This means Shafi'i Asr typically begins 15-45 minutes earlier than Hanafi Asr. Most UK mosques follow the Hanafi calculation. Use our toggle option to switch between both calculations.

How many rak'ahs are in Asr prayer?

Asr consists of four rak'ahs (units of prayer). All four are performed silently, with the imam reciting Qur'an audibly during the first two rak'ahs in congregation. The structure is the same as Dhuhr prayer.

What should I do if I miss Asr prayer?

If you miss Asr, you must make it up (perform qada) as soon as you remember or become able to do so. There is no specific time limit for making up missed prayers, though it is best to do so as soon as possible. Perform the prayer with the intention of making up the missed Asr, and Allah will accept it.

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