‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “May Allah fill their graves and houses with fire, as they distracted us from the middle prayer until the sun set.”
In another narration: “They distracted us from the middle prayer”, meaning: the ‘Asr prayer. Then he offered it between the Maghrib and the ‘Ishā'.
Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The polytheists distracted the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) from observing the ‘Asr prayer till the sun became red or yellow. So the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "May Allah fill their bellies and graves with fire!"
Reported by Muslim (No. 628) and Ahmad (No. 3637, 4135).
The polytheists kept the Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions too preoccupied to offer the ‘Asr prayer till sunset, as they were garrisoned to protect Madīnah against them. Consequently, the Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon) invoked Allah, the Almighty, against them, asking Him to fill their stomachs, houses, and graves with fire as a punishment for hurting him and his Companions and distracting them from offering the ‘Asr, which is the best prayer.
Explanation in Arabic
شغل المشركون النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وأصحابه رضي الله عنهم بالمرابطة وحراسة المدينة وأنفسهم عن صلاة العصر حتى غابت الشمس، فلم يصلها النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وأصحابه رضي الله عنهم إلا بعد الغروب؛ فدعا عليهم النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أن يملأ بطونهم وبيوتهم وقبورهم نارًا، جزاء ما آذوه وصحبه، وشغلوهم عن صلاة العصر، التي هي أفضل الصلوات.
الوقت المختار للعصر ما قبل اصفرار الشمس.
المراد بالصلاة الوسطى صلاة العصر لما جاء في الصحيحين عن علي قال: كنا نراها الفجر حتى سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول يوم الأحزاب "شغلونا عن الصلاة الوسطى صلاة العصر".
جواز الدعاء على الظالم بقدر ظلمه؛ لأنه قصاص.
الأولى للداعي على الظالم أن يبين سبب الدعاء عليه؛ لتنتفي عنه تهمة العدوان.
اهتمام النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم بالصلاة، وتأثره من فوات وقتها.