By Musa Bukhari
Allah has clearly defined the purpose of our creation:
“I created jinn and mankind only to worship Me.” (51:56)
We are fortunate enough to have the beautiful example of the Messenger (PBUH) as a legacy of perfect worship to follow.
Aisha (RA) was asked about what the Prophet (PBUH) would do at home. She replied:
“He used to keep himself busy serving his family and when it was time for prayer, he would get up for prayer.” (Al-Bukhari)
Some narrations also state that when the call for prayer was made, the Prophet would enter a different state. His focus would immediately shift. His priority was always on worshipping and obeying Allah, regardless of what he was doing then the call to prayer rang out. Yes, he was present with his family, his companions and generally participating in his community, but as soon as it was time to worship God, he put all else aside. It is a reminder to us all to put Allah at the forefront of our minds, since that is how we fulfil our true purpose in life.
It’s also a reminder to us to be mindful of Allah’s other commands. If you haven’t performed your Zakat this year yet, now is the time to calculate it, and to purify your wealth through our Zakat-applicable projects. Check the Gift Aid box at checkout, and your charity will be 100% admin-fee free.
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It’s normal for the way we offer our ibadah to be affected as we adapt to life in lockdown. While we can’t attend the mosque, it’s an opportunity to perfect our prayers. Particularly the dawn prayer of Fajr, which is the prayer that people struggle most to offer on time.
Here are a few ideas to help you pray Fajr on time:
- Intention is vital. Be actively mindful of your intention, and you will find yourself grounded when the waves of this world seem overwhelming. Ask yourself, why are you praying? Who is it benefiting? Are you making it a priority?
“Actions are judged by intentions (niyyah) and each person will have what he has intended.” (Al-Bukhari)
- Make sincere dua before you sleep to ask Allah to assist you in waking up for Fajr so you can worship and please Him.
“[Prophet], if My servants ask you about Me, I am near. I respond to those who call Me, so let them respond to Me, and believe in Me, so that they may be guided.” (2:186)
- Have a power nap during the day if you’re able to. Now that we are all self-isolating, this might be easier for some of us. What’s more, napping is a Sunnah.
- Sleep on time. Getting an adequate amount of sleep means you will not be fatigued, rather you will be energised when standing in front of Allah.
- Avoid fried foods, excessive dairy and caffeinated drinks, which add the struggle of waking up.
- Avoid using your phone before bed. Its blue light overstimulates your mind and confuses your body clock, making it that much harder to fall asleep and get a good night’s rest.
- Make Tawbah. If we’re struggling to pray on time, it may be that our sins are holding us back. Sins can become barriers to piety, so destroy those barriers by repenting and seeking His forgiveness. A heart that is in a constant state of purification is the closest to Allah.
“O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it.” (Al-Tirmidhi)
- Sleep on the right side. It is the healthiest position to sleep on and has been advised to us by the Prophet (PBUH).
- Sleep whilst being in a state of wudhu. Not only will you feel refreshed before bed, it will mentally and spiritually prepare you for waking up for fajr. Don’t forget to make that intention.
“Whenever you go to bed, perform ablution like that for the prayer.” (Al-Bukhari)
- Start a gratitude journal. Before you go to bed, list all the moments in your day you are grateful for, small or big. With this pandemic, we must appreciate the moments we once took for granted.
Remember that He promised, ‘If you are thankful, I will give you more…’” (14:7)
May He make it easier for us to wake up for Fajr on time and perform all of our prayers with ikhlas (sincerity) and ihsan (excellence). May He make Fajr the sweetest prayer for us all and allow the prayers to enrich our lives in ways that will benefit us in this life and the hereafter.
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By Human Appeal
Manchester, United Kingdom
FAQs
Muslims are required to wake up early to pray (Fajr) at dawn (approximately one and one-half hours before sunrise). Some Muslims wake up to pray Fajr and then sleep until it is time to work (split sleep), whereas others sleep continuously (consolidated sleep) until work time and pray Fajr upon awakening.
What time should I wake up for Fajr? ›
Muslims are required to wake up early to pray (Fajr) at dawn (approximately one and one-half hours before sunrise). Some Muslims wake up to pray Fajr and then sleep until it is time to work (split sleep), whereas others sleep continuously (consolidated sleep) until work time and pray Fajr upon awakening.
Can I pray Fajr at 5am? ›
The time at which the Fajr prayer must be offered is from the beginning of dawn to sunrise.
What to recite when waking up? ›
“Al-hamdu lillahil-ladhi ahyana ba'da ma amatana, wa ilaihin-nushur (All praise is due to Allah, Who has brought us back to life after He has caused us to die, and to Him is the return).”
How to start praying Fajr? ›
Steps to Perform the Fajr Prayer
- Intention (Niyyah): Start by setting a sincere intention in your heart.
- Begin with Takbeer: Proclaim “Allahu Akbar” while raising both hands up to the ears.
- Recite Al-Fatihah: An essential chapter in every prayer.
- Recite Another Surah: Preferably a chapter or verses after Al-Fatihah.
Here are a few ideas to help you pray Fajr on time:
- Intention is vital. ...
- Make sincere dua before you sleep to ask Allah to assist you in waking up for Fajr so you can worship and please Him. ...
- Have a power nap during the day if you're able to. ...
- Sleep on time.
It is narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said, “Put out lamps when you go to bed, shut the doors, and cover water and food containers” [SB 5301]. This may correspond with current scientific understanding that it is important to maintain a dark environment during sleep so as not to disrupt the circadian rhythm.
What is the restricted time for Fajr prayer? ›
You can pray Fajr until the time of sunrise (until the Fajr prayer ends). Once the praying time of Fajr is over you should wait 15 minutes before you pray.
How late can you pray Isha? ›
Time ends: At the beginning of dawn when the time for Fajr prayer begins. However, it is frowned upon to delay the prayer without a legitimate reason past the first third of the night, and "night" in Islamic law means the time between the end of the Maghrib prayer and the start of the Fajr prayer.
What does Fajr mean in English? ›
Fajr, which commonly means dawn, is the time when the first of five daily prayers in Islam is performed. Throughout the holy month, people fasting should stop eating approximately 15 minutes before the dawn prayer.
Transliteration: Alhamdu lillahil-lathee ahyana baAAda ma amatana wa-ilayhin-nushoor. Translation: “All praise is for Allah who gave us life after having taken it from us and unto Him is the resurrection.”
What is the dua for Fajr morning? ›
It was narrated from Umm Salamah that when the Prophet ﷺ performed the fajr (morning prayer), while he said the Salam, he would say: 'Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman nafi'an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa 'amalan mutaqabbalan (O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, goodly provision and acceptable deeds). '”
What is the dua before Fajr? ›
(i) I pray the forgiveness of Allah and I repent before Him. (ii) I beseech Allah for good health. (iii) I seek Allah's protection against Hellfire. (iv) I ask Him for Paradise.
What is the earliest Fajr prayer? ›
However, generally, the earliest time to pray Fajr with Jama'ah during Ramadan is about 20 minutes before sunrise. Or Say, 10 minutes after taking Sahoor/ pre-dawn meal..
What are the 2 Rakats before Fajr called? ›
Fajr Sunnah prayer
Before Fajr there is a Sunnah ratibah prayer (established Sunnah) which is two rak'ahs. This is the most firmly established of the Sunnah ratibah prayers. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) never failed to offer this prayer, whether he was at home or travelling.
What Zikr to read after Fajr? ›
After Fajr Prayer
Hasbiyal laahu indal mas'alati fil qabri. Hasbiyal laahu indal mizaan. Hasbiyal laahu indas siraat. Hasbiyal laahul lazi laa ilaaha illa huwwa alaihi tawakkaltu wa huwa rabbul arshil azeem.
What is the time limit for Fajr prayer? ›
The time for Fajr prayer lasts from the onset of the true dawn until the sun starts to rise. If a person offers this prayer during this time, he has prayed on time. Based on this, what is mentioned in the question about praying close to sunrise not being the right time is not correct.
What is the normal time for Fajr prayer? ›
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The time for Subh (Fajr) prayer lasts from the beginning of the pre-dawn so long as the sun has not yet started to rise. When the sun starts to rise then stop praying, for it rises between the two horns of the Shaytan.”
Does waking up for Fajr ruin sleep? ›
Additionally, Muslims are required to wake up for Fajr prayer, which is about one hour before sunrise. The Prophet did not sleep after the Fajr prayer. Although being called to wake for the Fajr prayer might appear to disrupt sleep, this could be offset by a short midday nap (called Qailulah in Islamic culture).
Can I pray tahajjud at 4am? ›
Recommended time. To perform tahajjud signifies the act of rising from sleep during the night and then praying. Tahajjud may be performed before or after imsak (when the fasting starts) but before the obligatory Fajr prayer.
