Hazrat Ubaid bin Umar, regarding the command of Allah Almighty { حَافِظُوا عَلَی الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلاَۃ الْوُسْطَی } (Be steadfast in prayers and especially the middle prayer), says that it refers to the Asr prayer. According to Hazrat Ata, it is the Fajr prayer.

8846 - He said: And Ata’ used to consider the middle prayer to be the morning prayer.

Hazrat Hayan Azdi reports that Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) was asked about the middle prayer, and he was informed that according to Hazrat Abu Hurairah, it refers to the Asr prayer. Upon hearing this, Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said, "Abu Hurairah talks a lot; it refers to the Fajr prayer."

Hazrat Zaid bin Thabit says that the middle prayer refers to the Zuhr prayer.

8849 - From Qatadah, from Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib, from Ibn Umar, from Zayd ibn Thabit who said: The middle prayer is the Zuhr prayer (1).

Hazrat Ikrimah says that this refers to the Zuhr prayer; there are two prayers before it and two after it.

Hazrat Jabir bin Zaid says that by this is meant the Fajr prayer.

Hazrat Dhahhak says that the middle prayer is the Asr prayer.

Hazrat Mujahid, regarding the Divine Command { حَافِظُوا عَلَی الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلاَۃ الْوُسْطَی } (Be steadfast in prayers and especially the middle prayer), says that by this is meant the Fajr (morning) prayer.

It is narrated from Hazrat Samurah that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: The middle prayer is the morning prayer.