The dignity of Àsr prayer.

 The dignity of Àsr prayer. 

Alhamdulillah, The Asr prayer is one of the prayers that is very important in islam

As Allah says in Quran, 

Al-Baqarah 2:238

Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle [i.e., ʿaṣr] prayer and stand before Allāh, devoutly obedient.

The middle prayer, many scholars say it is the Asr prayer. 

Some says it is the qiyaamul layl(night prayers) that one needs to protect and maintain it well. 

Narrated Zaid bin Arqam:

We used to speak while in prayer. One of us used to speak to his brother (while in prayer) about his need, till the Verse was revealed:-- "Guard strictly the (five obligatory) prayers, especially the middle (theBest) (`Asr) Prayer and stand before Allah with obedience (and not to speak to others during the prayers)." Then we were ordered not to speak in the prayers.

Sahih al-Bukhari 4534.

During the time of the prophet Peace be upon Him at the early stage of islam, the companions used to talk among themselves while praying and one can reply to the greeting of his brother until this ayah came and they were prohibited from talking. 

The Asr prayer, the prophet peace be upon him said, 

Anyone who misses the Asr prayer is like the one whose wealth and everything is deprived from him. 

Irak bin Malik narrated that Nawfal bin Mu'awiyah told him that he heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say:

Whoever misses 'Asr prayer, it is as if he has been robbed of his family and wealth." 'Irak said: 'And'Abdullah bin 'Umar informed me that he heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying: 'Whosoever misses 'Asr prayer, it is as if he has been robbed of his family and wealth.'

Sunan an-Nasa'i 478.

The sahaba do not play with the Asr prayer and usually it is the time the people mostly trade and people do not give a great value to this prayer.