Allaah, the Most Perfect and the Most High has ordered His slaves to
establish the prayers with due care. He has told us to take special
care concerning the middle prayer, which is the `Asr prayer. [This is
the opinion of the majority of the people of knowledge from the
Companions and those after them, that the middle prayer is the `Asr
prayer. See Sharh us-Sunnah of al-Baghawee (2/232-237)]
He, the Most Perfect and the Most High, says
Guard strictly your prayers, and your middle prayer,
and stand before Allaah in devoutness. [Soorah
al-Baqarah: 238]
He, the Most Perfect and the Most High, has warned us about being
neglectful of them, due to wealth, family and from other temptations
of this world. He has particularised the doer of these actions with a
severe punishment, particularly regarding the `Asr prayer.
He, the Most High, says:
So woe to the worshippers who are neglectful of their
prayers. [Soorah al-Maa’oon:4-5]
The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, said:
Whoever misses the `Asr prayer, it is as if he has lost his family
and wealth.
[Related by al-Bukhaaree (2/30), Muslim (626) and others, from the
hadeeth of Ibn `Umar, radiyallaahu `anhu.]
It is related from Aboo al-Mulaih `Aamir bin Usaamah bin `Umair bin
al-Hadhalee, who said: We were with Buraidah in a battle on a
cloudy day, and he said: Be early with the `Asr prayer, for the
Prophet said: Whoever leaves the `Asr prayer, then his actions
will be invalidated.
[Related by al-Bukhaaree (2/31,66), Ahmad (5/349-450, 357,
360,361), al-Bayhaqee (1/444), al-Baghawee in Sharh us-Sunnah
(329), and others.]
Source
Subject: Leaving the `Asr Prayer 
