Hadiths on Fajr Prayer
The Sunnah contains numerous Hadiths concerning the Fajr prayer, highlighting its significant status and importance in Islam. Prayer is one of the fundamental pillars of the religion, and special emphasis is placed on the Fajr prayer, reflecting its necessity to maintain. A variety of Hadiths elaborating on the Fajr prayer include the following:
- Timing of the Fajr Prayer
According to Buraydah al-Hasib al-Aslami, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated: “A man asked him about the timing of the prayer… Then he instructed him to lead the Fajr prayer when dawn appeared. On the second day, he instructed him to delay the Dhuhr prayer, which he did, and he recommended to delay it further. He prayed the Asr prayer while the sun was high and postponed it longer than he had previously. He prayed the Maghrib prayer before the twilight disappeared and performed the Isha prayer after a third of the night had passed. He offered the Fajr prayer in a way that it became bright before him, then he said: ‘Where is the one who asked about the timing of the prayer?’ The man replied: ‘I am, O Messenger of Allah.’ He said: ‘The timing of your prayers is between what you have witnessed.’
- The Call of the Muezzin After the First Fajr Call
From Ibn Umar, it was reported: “In the first call to prayer after ‘Falah,’ the prayer is better than sleep,” repeated twice.
- The Recitation During Fajr Prayer
Abu Barzah al-Aslami reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to postpone the Isha prayer until a third of the night had passed, disliking sleep before it and conversation afterward. He would read in the Fajr prayer from a hundred to sixty verses, and he would leave when he recognized some of our faces.
- Surahs Recited by the Prophet in Fajr Prayer
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to pray two rak’ahs before Fajr, stating: “What excellent surahs he reads in the two rak’ahs of Fajr: Say, ‘O disbelievers,’ and Say, ‘He is Allah, One.’
- The Gathering of Angels During Fajr Prayer
According to Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Angels come to you at night and during the day, gathering for Fajr and Asr prayers. The angels who spent the night with you ascend, and their Lord, who knows them best, asks: ‘How did you leave My servants?’ They respond: ‘We left them while they were praying.’
Hadiths on the Virtues of Fajr Prayer
Numerous Hadiths highlight the virtues and rewards of the Fajr prayer, including:
- Those who perform Fajr will enter Paradise
Abu Musa al-Ash’ari reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever prays the two cool prayers will enter Paradise.”
- Fajr prayer is better than the world and what it contains
According to Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) regarding the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), he stated: “The two rak’ahs of Fajr are better than the world and all that is in it.”
- Those who pray Fajr are under Allah’s protection
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever prays the morning prayer is under Allah’s protection; let Him not ask you about anything within His protection.” Thus, praying Fajr places one under Allah’s safeguarding.
- Angels Witnessing the Fajr Quran
In one Hadith it is mentioned: “The advantage of congregational prayer is greater than that of a single prayer by twenty-five times, and the angels of the night and the day gather at Fajr prayer. And read if you will: ‘Indeed, the recitation of the Fajr is witnessed.’
- Accepted Supplications After Fajr for One Who Stands in the Last Third of the Night
According to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “Allah descends to the lowest heaven every night when a third of that night has passed, saying: ‘I am the King, I am the King. Who is calling upon Me that I may respond to him? Who is asking of Me that I may give him? Who seeks My forgiveness, and I will forgive him?’ And He continues this way until dawn breaks.”
Hadiths on Performing Fajr in Congregation
There are several Hadiths emphasizing the significance of performing the Fajr prayer in congregation, including:
- ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with both of them) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Prayer in congregation is better than praying alone by twenty-seven degrees.”
- Performing Fajr in congregation is akin to standing the whole night in prayer
Uthman ibn Affan entered the mosque after the Maghrib prayer, sat alone, and I joined him. He said: “O son of my brother, I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: ‘Whoever prays Isha in congregation is as though he has stood half the night, and whoever prays Fajr in congregation is as though he has prayed all night.’
Hadiths Warning Against Abandoning Fajr Prayer
Several narrations caution against neglecting the Fajr prayer, including:
- Abandoning Fajr prayer is an act of hypocrisy
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The hardest prayers for the hypocrites are Isha and Fajr; if they knew what was in them, they would attend them even if they had to crawl. I thought of commanding the prayer to be established, then instructing a man to lead the prayer, then I would take some men with me to those who do not attend the prayer and burn their houses with fire.”
- The devil urinates in the ears of those who neglect Fajr prayer
It was mentioned in the presence of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) about a man who slept the night through until morning. He said: “That is a man in whom the devil has urinated in his ears.”
Hadiths on the Virtue of Sitting After Fajr Prayer
Several Hadiths discuss the benefits of remaining seated after Fajr prayer:
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to sit in his prayer spot after performing Fajr until the sun rose beautifully.
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “Whoever prays Fajr in congregation and then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, after that prays two rak’ahs, will receive the reward of a complete Hajj and Umrah, complete, complete, complete.”