Is it permissible to make up the established Sunnah prayers (Ratibah) after the Asr prayer?

Chapter on the Times When Prayer is Prohibited

Al-Mughni

Book of Prayer

Book 3 · Issue 1 · Bab 9

Open in Qurani

Primary text

Making up the established Sunnah prayers after Asr is correct (permissible) because the Prophet (peace be upon him) did so. Evidence for this includes the report from Umm Salamah where the Prophet made up the two rak'ahs following Dhuhr after Asr, and the report from Aisha where he made up the two rak'ahs preceding Asr after Asr time. Following the Prophet's action is mandatory. Furthermore, the prohibition regarding Asr prayer is light due to the existence of reports granting permission and the differing scholarly opinions on the matter. The statement by Aisha that he prohibited it means, as Allah knows best, that he prohibited it for another reason, or that he performed it constantly and prohibited doing so habitually. This view is the Madhhab of Al-Shafi'i.

Supporting text

The Companions of Al-Ra'y (Hanafi school) forbade making up these prayers based on the generality of the prohibition. However, the specific action taken by the Prophet takes precedence over the general prohibition.