For many of us, waking up for Fajr can be difficult and burdensome however, there are some virtues that we fail to realise! In this article, I will analyse some of the merits of this blessed prayer, Fajr as documented in the Qur’an and Sunnah In’sha’Allah
1) Oath by Fajr
As Muslims, we are not allowed to take oaths by anyone other than Allah, But Allah, the Most Majestic can take an oath by anything he wishes. In the beginning of Surah Fajr, the 89th Chapter of the Qur’an, Allah begins the Surah by swearing upon the dawn (Fajr),
”By the dawn” [1]
Every oath made by Allah in the Qur’an mphasises its importance and likewise, Allah has emphasised the time of Fajr.
2) The two Sunan Rakahs of Fajr prayer are better than the entire world
In the Hadith of Aisha (May Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, “Two Rakahs of prayer before the Fajr (Fardh) prayer are better than the world and whatever is in it.”[2] For this reason, there is no other Sunan prayer emphasised more by our prophet than these two Rakahs before the Fajr prayer. Our prophet always prayed these two Rakahs Sunan prayers of Fajr and never missed them [3] including whilst travelling even though the concession was there to miss the Sunnah prayers.
3) Whoever prays the Fajr prayer comes under the protection of Allah
In the hadith reported by Jundub ibn Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him), the prophet (Peace be upon him) said, “He who performs the Fajr will be under the protection of Allah.”[5] The previous hadith spoke about the merit of the two Rakah Sunan prayer of Fajr and this hadith mentions the merit of praying the actual Fardh of Fajr prayer. For the one who offers the Fardh of Fajr prayer, Allah will protect them the whole day until the next Fajr prayer from harm,
4) The recitation of Qur’an at Fajr is witnessed
Allah says in the Qur’an,
“Establish prayer at the decline of the sun until the darkness of the night and recite the Qur’an at Fajr. Indeed, the recitation of Fajr is ever witnessed.” [6]
Who is it witnessed by? The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) recited this verse, ‘And recite the Qur’an during the Fajr. Verily, the recitation of the Qur’an during Fajr is ever witnessed.’ And said, “It is witnessed by the angels of the night and the day.” [7] Out of all the 5 obligatory prayers, our prophet made the Fajr prayer the longest because he knew of this amazing virtue. It was reported that he would recite between 60 to 100 verses just in the Fardh of Fajr prayer![8]
5) Remembering Allah after Fajr can earn you the reward of Hajj & Umrah
The Messenger of Allah, Peace be upon him) said, “Whoever prays the morning prayer in congregation, then he sits remembering Allah until the sun rises and prays two Rakahs (Duha) will have a reward similar to the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage.”[9]
That having been said, there are many virtues of Fajr from its time to its recitation. I pray that this article makes us all realise the significance of this great prayer and motivates us to get up and offer it regularly. Lastly, great emphasis has been placed upon preserving the Fajr prayer along with the Asr prayer because it is a time when deeds are taken by angels to Allah, the Most High as our prophet (Peace be upon him) said, “A group of angels stay with you at night and (another group of) angels by daytime, and both groups gather at the time of the ‘Asr and Fajr prayers. Then those angels who have stayed with you overnight, ascend and Allah asks them about you —- and He knows everything about you. ‘In what state did you leave My slaves?’ The angels reply, ‘When we left them, they were praying, and when we reached them they were praying.’
