Sunnah Salah for the `Asr Prayer

Q 5: What is the ruling on offering four supererogatory Rak`ahs before the four obligatory Rak`ahs of the `Asr (afternoon) Prayer? (Part No. 6; Page No. 123

There is nothing wrong with offering four Rak`ahs before `Asr Prayer, rather it is Mustahab (desirable). It was authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he said, May Allah have mercy on a man who performs four Rak`ahs before `Asr Prayer. (Related by Abu Dawud and Al-Tirmidhy who considered it to be Hasan (a Hadith whose chain of narration contains a narrator with weak exactitude, but is free from eccentricity or blemish)). It is desirable to offer these Rak`ahs in pairs, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, The (optional) Salah by night and day should consist of pairs of Rak`ahs. (Related by Imam Ahmad and the Four Compilers of Hadith with an authentic Isnad).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.