Introduction:
The definition of al-fajr prayer:
Al–fajr prayer is one of the five daily obligatory prayers in Islam. It has a lot of names. Scholars also call it the morning prayer, the morrow prayer and the first prayer.
How to perform the fajr prayer:
The fajr prayer consists of two rakat. A Muslim stands up twice, reads al-fatihah and some verses of the Holy Quran in each rakat, and sits down once reading al-tashahhud at the end of the two rakat. All Muslims, travelers and non travelers perform it alike. This is because Muslims can’t shorten or abridge salah al-fajr because it consists only of two rakat. A Muslim can abridge or shorten al dhuhr, al asr and al Isha prayers.salat al–fajr and salat al-Maghrib in Islam. The only salah which can be abridged is salat al-dhuhr, salat al-Asr and salah al-isha. They all consist of four rakat each. Therefore, only the salah which consists of four rakat, can be abridged in Islam.
The audible and silent salah in Islam:
Salah can be shortened or abridged when a Muslim is traveling. Scholars say that if a Muslim travels for more than eighty-four kilometers, it is recommended to shorten or abridge their salah, regardless of the difficulties they meet while traveling. Salah al-fajr is an audible Salah in which the Imam or the solo worshiper raises their voices while reading the Holy Quran. It is worthy mentioning that the audible prayers in Islam are the fajr, the maghrib, the isha, the friday, al- taraweeh and the two eids’ prayers. At the fajr of Friday, it is a sunnah to read surah al-Sajdah after al-fatihah and surah al-Insan in the two Rakat of al-fajr.
The sunnah of al-fajr:
The sunnah of al-fajr is also two rakat in the same manner of salah al-fajr or al-Subh. It is recommended for a Muslim to perform it without prolongation. In this salah, an individual worshiper reads surah al-kafiroon and surah al-Ikhlas after reading al-fatihah in the first and the second rakat of sunnah al-fajr respectively. The sunnah of al-fajr is one of the most confirmed practices of prophet Mohammad’s sunnah, whether staying home or traveling. Aisha says: “Prophet mohammad was most keen on performing the fajr sunnah
“لَمْ يَكُنِ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيِّهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَلَى شَىْءٍ مِنَ النَّوَافِلِ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُ تَعَاهُدًا عَلَى رَكْعَتَيٍّ الْفَجْرِ”
The Time of al-fajr prayer:
The time of al-fajr prayer starts with the break of the true dawn when the second adhan is called out. This time ends with the rising of the sun according to the consensus of the Muslim scholars. Also prophet Mohammad said: “Whoever manages to catch up with one rakat of the morning prayer before sunrise, they have caught up with the fajr prayer.” Moreover, prophet Mohammad said: “The time of the fajr prayer is from the true dawn till the sunrise.”
“ وَقْتُ صِلِاةِ الصُّبْحِ مِنْ طُلُوعِ الْفَجْرِ مَا لَمْ تَطْلُعِ الشَّمْسُ”
“مَنْ أَدْرَكَ مِنَ الصُّبْحِ رَكْعَةً قَبْلَ أَنْ تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ, فَقَدِ أَدْرَكَ الصُّبْحَ”
The favor of al-fajr prayer:
The favors of al-fajr prayer are many. One of them is that a Muslim enjoys the protection and care of Allah. Allah promised those who are keen on performing al-fajr prayer regularly to protect and care for them. prophet Mohammad said:
“ مَنْ صَلَّى الصُّبْحَ فَهُوَّ فِي ذِمَّةِ اللهِ “
Entering paradise and escaping hell:
Maintaining al-fajr prayer is a cause of entering paradise and escaping hell. Prophet Mohammad said whoever prays at the two cold times, will be admitted into paradise., referring to al-asr and al-fajr. also, prophet Mohammad said, “They won’t enter hell; whoever prays before sunrise and sunset, referring to al-asr and al-fajr.”
“ مَنْ صَلَّى الْبَرْدَيْنِ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ.” (لَنْ يَلِجَ النَّارَ أَحَدٌ صَلَّى قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ غُرُوبِهَا يَعْنِي الْفَجْرَ وَالْعَصْرِ)
Beholding allah on the day of judgment:
Maintaining al-fajr prayer is the cause of beholding Allah on the day of judgment, which is the objective of every Muslim.. the prophet’s hadith says:
( إِنَّكُمْ سَتَرَوْنَ رَبَكُمْ كَمَا تَرَوْنَ هَذَا الْقَمَرَ لَا تُضَامُونَ فِي رُؤْيَتِهِ فِإِنْ اسْتَطَعْتُمْ أَنْ لَا تُغْلَبُوا عَلَى صَلَاةٍ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ غُرُوبِهَا فَافْعَلُوا”
The hadith means: “You will see your Lord, the same way you are looking at this shining moon. There is no doubt about it. if you can pray before sunrise and sunset, then do.”
