Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala (Glorified and Exalted is He) says in the Holy Quran: "Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the recitation of Fajr. Indeed, the recitation of Fajr is ever witnessed." (Surah Al-Isra, 17:78). Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him and blessings of Allah) also emphasized the importance of the morning Fajr prayer.
Fajr (Arabic: الفجر) is the first of the five daily obligatory prayers (Salah) in Islam, which is performed during the period before sunrise. It consists of two obligatory (Fard) rak'ahs and two recommended (Sunnah) rak'ahs. Fajr holds special spiritual significance as it is performed in the pre-dawn hours when most people are still asleep.
When Fajr Prayer is Performed: Precise Time from Dawn to Sunrise
The time for the morning Fajr prayer begins with the appearance of the true morning dawn (Sadiq). This is the moment when, on the eastern horizon, after a period of complete darkness, a thin horizontal band of white light appears and then begins to spread upwards and sideways. This light differs from the false dawn, which may appear earlier and soon disappear.
The time for Fajr continues until the very beginning of sunrise. The deadline for performing the Fajr prayer is the moment the first edge of the sun's disc appears above the eastern horizon. As soon as the sun begins to show, the time for Fajr ends, and a prayer performed after this is considered missed (qada').
The precise time for the appearance of the true dawn and the beginning of sunrise depends on your geographical location (latitude and longitude) and the date. These calculations are based on astronomical data.
How to Find the Precise Fajr Time for Your Location
The most reliable way to find the precise Fajr time for your location is to use our website. We provide up-to-date and accurate prayer time data, calculated according to a multitude of authoritative calculation systems, so you always know the correct start and end time for Fajr anywhere in the world.
The Significance of Fajr Prayer
The morning Fajr prayer holds special significance in Islam for many reasons:
Beginning the Day with Worship: Performing Fajr at the very beginning of the day helps set a spiritual tone and start the day with the remembrance of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala (Glorified and Exalted is He).
Witnessed by Angels: According to authentic hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him and blessings of Allah), the Fajr prayer is special because its performance is recorded by the angels of both the night and the day, as it occurs during their shift change.
Special Reward and Protection: Numerous narrations in Hadith collections convey many testimonies about the great reward for performing this prayer. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him and blessings of Allah) said:
"Whoever performs the Fajr prayer, he is under Allah's protection." (Sahih Muslim).
- Manifestation of Sincerity and Willpower: Waking up early for worship requires effort and is a test of sincerity of faith and spiritual discipline.
How to Perform Fajr Prayer Correctly: A Step-by-Step Guide
Fajr prayer consists of two parts, which are performed consecutively:
Sunnah of Fajr (2 rak'ahs):
- This is a voluntary (recommended), but very highly encouraged prayer performed before the obligatory part (fard).
- Make the intention to perform the 2 rak'ahs of Sunnah of Fajr.
- Perform 2 rak'ahs just as you would any other prayer rak'ahs, with bowing (ruku') and prostrations (sujood).
- According to the Sunnah, it is recommended to recite Surah "Al-Kafirun" (109) after Surah "Al-Fatihah" in the first rak'ah, and Surah "Al-Ikhlas" (112) in the second rak'ah.
Fard of Fajr (2 rak'ahs):
- This is the obligatory part of the Fajr prayer, performed after the Sunnah.
- Make the intention to perform the 2 obligatory (fard) rak'ahs of Fajr prayer.
- Perform 2 rak'ahs of the prayer.
- In the obligatory Fajr prayer, it is recommended to recite longer verses or surahs from the Holy Quran after "Al-Fatihah" in both rak'ahs (compared to other prayers).
Why it is Important Not to Miss the Fajr Prayer
Regular performance of Fajr prayer brings enormous benefits:
Spiritual Strengthening: Helps start the day connected to the Creator, which gives strength and peace.
Strengthening Discipline and Willpower: Trains self-discipline and the ability to overcome laziness.
Receiving Blessings: As mentioned in hadiths, it is a path to special reward and protection from Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala (Glorified and Exalted is He).
Setting a Positive Day: Starting the day with prayer creates a foundation for a productive and blessed day.
Tips on How Not to Oversleep for Fajr Prayer and Wake up on Time
Organize your sleep schedule: Try to go to bed early enough to get sufficient rest.
Use multiple alarms: Place your alarm clock or phone away from your bed so you have to get up to turn it off.
Ask for help: Ask family members or friends who also pray to wake you up.
Make sincere supplication (dua): Ask Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala (Glorified and Exalted is He) to help you wake up for prayer. Having the intention to wake up for Fajr before sleeping is very important.
Find the precise time on our website: Use the prayer time and notification features on our website and in the app, as well as other reliable methods such as physical alarms.
Remind yourself of the reward: Remember the great benefit and reward for performing Fajr prayer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Fajr Prayer
How many total rak'ahs are in Fajr prayer?: In total, there are 4 rak'ahs in Fajr: first 2 rak'ahs of Sunnah, then 2 rak'ahs of Fard (the obligatory part).
Can I perform only the fard of Fajr if I am very short on time?: Yes, the obligatory part is only the fard (2 rak'ahs). If time is extremely limited and there is a risk of missing the prayer time, you can limit yourself to just the fard. However, performing the 2 rak'ahs of Sunnah of Fajr is very highly encouraged and has great reward, so it is recommended to perform it if time permits.
What is the best way to avoid oversleeping for Fajr?: The best way is a combination of efforts: going to bed early enough with the intention to wake up for prayer, using reliable alarms or the help of others, sincerely asking Allah to facilitate waking up, and also knowing the precise Fajr time on our website.
What is the difference between Sunnah and Fard in Fajr?: Fard is the obligatory part of the prayer, for neglecting which without a valid reason a Muslim is accountable. Sunnah is the recommended part, for performing which there is great reward, but for neglecting which there is no sin.
Conclusion
Fajr prayer is not just a daily religious obligation, but also a powerful source of spiritual energy, inner peace, and blessings for the entire coming day. Regular and timely performance of the morning prayer helps a believer strengthen their connection with Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala (Glorified and Exalted is He), cultivate discipline, and begin each new day under His protection. To always perform the prayer on time, use the accurate prayer time data on our website. Even if it is difficult to wake up in the early hours at first, sincere efforts and supplication to the Almighty will surely help you make this important prayer an integral part of your life.
Remember that consistency in prayer is more beloved to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala (Glorified and Exalted is He) than sporadic bursts of worship. Even if you experience difficulties with Fajr, keep trying and ask for Allah's help to make it easier for you.