The Impact of Fajr Prayer in This World
Allah – the Exalted – has distinguished Surah Al-Fajr from other chapters of the Qur’an, beginning with the verse: (And by the dawn), and concluding it with: (And enter My Paradise). This emphasizes that Fajr prayer is one of the foremost reasons for entering Paradise. To realize this truth, a believer must acknowledge the gateway to Heaven as mentioned in the verse: (So enter among My righteous servants). Fajr prayer carries numerous virtues that profoundly influence the practitioner in this life. These virtues include:
- Attaining happiness, security, and tranquility within the soul, along with earning Allah’s pleasure in both this life and the Hereafter. Allah – the Exalted – says: (O tranquil soul, return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing Him).
- Avoiding the whims of the ego and striving to become among the righteous, which requires the individual to combat their desires and overcome them. Over time, this becomes easier, thus becoming an essential component of a Muslim’s life, leading them toward safety and peace.
- A sign of the believer’s genuine faith, distinguishing them from hypocrites. The Messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – informed us that neglecting the Fajr and ‘Isha prayers is a trait of hypocrites. He stated: (There is no prayer heavier on hypocrites than Fajr and ‘Isha. If they truly knew the rewards in them, they would attend even if they had to crawl. I contemplated instructing the mu’adhin to call for prayer, then appointing a man to lead the prayer while I set fire to the houses of those who do not attend).
- A source of hope, providing strength in times of trials. The word “Fajr” signifies the end of the night and the coming of dawn, symbolizing the departure of darkness.
- Divine protection and care for the believer by Allah – the Exalted. The Messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: (Whoever prays the Fajr prayer is under the protection of Allah; let none of you seek to be exempt from Allah’s protection, for whoever seeks exemption from it will be seized and thrown into Hellfire).
- Receiving blessings in sustenance during the early hours, as blessings lie in the time of early morning; one cannot achieve this without praying Fajr. The Messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – stated: (O Allah, bless my nation in their early hours).
- A contributor to victory, as the Quran mentions Fajr prayer alongside night prayers and the prayers of Shaf’ and Witr, as well as the ten nights of Ramadan. These practices lead to victory, contrasting the destruction faced by nations like ‘Aad, Thamud, and Pharaoh. Through night prayers, Allah grants victory to His servants over their oppressive enemies.
- Providing vigor and a lightened spirit. The Messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – explained: (Satan ties three knots at the back of the head of anyone who sleeps, striking each knot with the words: ‘You have a long night, so sleep.’ If that person wakes and remembers Allah, one knot is untied; if they perform ablution, another knot is untied; if they pray, the final knot unties, resulting in a fresh and cheerful morning, or else they wake up feeling heavy-hearted and lethargic).
- A continual connection between the servant and their Lord, initiated by intention and encompassing various forms of worship including beliefs, feelings, speech, and actions, allowing for purification from sins and engagement in remembrance of Allah and recitation of the Quran.
- A demonstration of the unity of Allah – the Exalted – as the Muslims collectively turn towards the Qibla, showcasing the oneness of the entire Muslim Ummah in their worship. Allah – the Exalted – stated: (Indeed, We have seen you turning your face to the heaven, and We will surely turn you to a Qibla which you will be pleased with; so turn your face toward the Sacred Mosque).
- Encouraging the Muslim to maintain righteousness and adherence to the straight path while embodying noble ethics and purity of heart. Prayer connects the servant to their Creator, increasing their awareness of His constant vigilance and knowledge of every state of their affairs, both openly and in secret. In the Quran, prayer is consistently linked to goodness, security, charity, sincerity, virtue, and sustenance, as shown in the verse: (And establish prayer, and give zakah, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Indeed, Allah intends to purify you, O people of the Prophet’s household, and to make pure that which is unclean).
- Fostering unity amongst the Muslim community through mutual cooperation, compassion, and support for one another, which is why Allah – the Exalted – mandated communal prayer, even in the midst of conflict, as stated: (And when you are among them and lead them in prayer, let a group of them stand in prayer with you).
- Establishing the symbols of Islam, the most significant of which is prayer, thereby promoting it within society and encouraging those who neglect it to follow the example of those who perform it. This reinforces the command of enjoining good and forbidding evil, allowing the word of Allah to prevail on earth, as Allah – the Exalted – states: (Those who, if We establish them in the land, establish prayer and give zakah and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong; and to Allah belongs the outcome of all matters).
The Status and Virtue of Fajr Prayer
The Fajr prayer holds an esteemed status, as outlined below:
- Fajr is considered one of the most virtuous prayers in the sight of Allah. The Messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: (The best of prayers in the sight of Allah is the Fajr prayer on Friday performed in congregation).
- Allah – the Exalted – boasts about those who perform the Fajr prayer to the angels.
- Those who consistently perform Fajr will be enveloped in complete light on the Day of Judgment. The Messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – stated: (Give glad tidings to those who walk in the dark to the mosques of a perfect light on the Day of Resurrection).
- Allah favors the two units of Sunnah prayer before Fajr beyond the value of the entire world, as those who perform them attain greater rewards than what the world contains. Consequently, the Messenger of Allah consistently emphasized their performance both in travel and while residing at home, saying: (The two rak’ahs of Fajr are better than the world and all that is in it).
- A Muslim earns the reward of night prayers for attending Fajr in congregation. The Messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – mentioned: (Whoever prays ‘Isha in congregation, it is as if he has stood for half the night; and whoever prays ‘Isha and Fajr in congregation, it is as if he has stood for the whole night).
- Angels gather and supplicate for the one who prays Fajr in congregation.
- The worshiper gains the reward for engaging in remembrance after the prayer. The Messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: (Whoever says after the Fajr prayer, while still seated: ‘There is no deity but Allah alone, with no partner; His is the dominion and His is the praise; He gives life and causes death; and He is over all things competent,’ ten times; Allah writes for him ten rewards, removes ten sins, elevates him ten ranks, and he will spend that entire day protected from any misfortune, shielded from Satan, and no sin can touch him that day, except for polytheism).
- Performing the Fajr prayer followed by the remembrance of Allah until sunrise grants the worshiper the same reward as that of a complete Hajj and Umrah. The Prophet – peace be upon him – said: (Whoever performs Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak’ahs, it will be the equivalent of a complete Hajj and Umrah).
- Allah – the Exalted – promises entry into Paradise and protection from Hellfire for those who perform the Fajr prayer. The Messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – stated: (No one will enter the Fire who has prayed before sunrise and before sunset).
- The worshiper is elevated by four degrees and relieved of four sins, for in each prostration to Allah, a rank is raised and a sin is absolved.
- Angels record ten rewards for every step taken towards the mosque. The Messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – explained: (When a man purifies himself then walks to the mosque to attend the prayer, the scribes record ten good deeds for every step he takes to the mosque). According to other narrations, he receives one good deed for every step and a sin is absolved, also counting as an act of charity.
- The reward of praying in congregation surpasses that of praying alone by twenty-seven degrees, while some narrations mention twenty-five degrees. Furthermore, if a Muslim performs proper ablution and prays Fajr in congregation, their previous sins are forgiven.
- Allah protects His servant throughout the day for those who enter the mosque by saying: “I seek refuge in Allah, His glorious countenance, and His ancient sovereignty from the accursed Satan.”
- The possibility of witnessing Allah – the Exalted – on the Day of Judgment. The Messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – assured: (Indeed, you will see your Lord just as you see this moon, you will not be harmed in seeing Him. If you can avoid being overcome in performing the prayers before sunrise and before sunset, then do so).
Ways to Help Wake Up for Fajr Prayer
Several practices can aid in waking up for Fajr prayer. Here are some suggestions:
- Making a habit of going to bed early; the Messenger of Allah disapproved of sleeping before ‘Isha and staying awake after it, except for necessary purposes such as learning, discussing beneficial matters, reconciling disputes, spending time with family, or engaging in acts of righteousness and enjoining good.
- Following proper sleep etiquette, such as performing ablution, praying two rak’ahs, and making supplications before sleeping, while also requesting family and friends to awaken them for Fajr.
- Having faith that encourages righteous actions and avoiding sins, safeguarding the limbs from actions that displease Allah – the Exalted, and being engaged in acts of worship, as sins hinder one’s inclination towards obedience.
- Having awareness of the tremendous reward associated with performing Fajr and recognizing the grave loss for those who deliberately miss it or do not fulfill it properly, i.e., losing blessings associated with its time and the time that follows.
- Striving to avoid resembling hypocrites, as consistently praying Fajr reflects a person’s sincerity in faith, evidenced by the Prophet’s words: (The most burdensome prayers on the hypocrites are ‘Isha and Fajr, and if they truly knew their benefits, they would attend them even if they had to crawl).
- Setting the intention to wake up for Fajr; sincere intention motivates one towards fulfilling their desires, applicable to all righteous actions.
- Turning to Allah – the Exalted – in supplication for steadfastness in performing acts that please Him, guidance, success, piety, and prosperity.
- Having a light dinner, as overeating can lead to lethargy.
- Repelling Satan from the home, ensuring he does not affect the household members, by starting with the name of Allah upon entering the house or before meals, reciting Surah Al-Baqarah, and consistently remembering Allah – the Exalted.