Overview

The Fajr (Arabic: فجر‎) prayer is the first of the five daily prayers (Salah) recited by practising Muslims. (Fajr means dawn in the Arabic language.) The five daily prayers collectively form one pillar of the Five Pillars of Islam, in Sunni Islam, and one of the ten Practices of the Religion (Furū al-Dīn) according to Shia Islam.

Importance

According to some opinions, it is considered by Muslims to be more precious than their lives. Inspired by the tafsir of the two hadiths that were transmitted on behalf of the Prophet Muhammad, the worth of the Fajr daily prayer is explained as being God's most-favoured prayer since others are asleep. This has made the Fajr daily prayer the most essential and obligatory congregational prayer to be held by Muslims together in groups in mosques.

Time

The time period within which the Fajr daily prayer must be recited is from the beginning of dawn[1] to sunrise.

Number of Rakahs

• 2 Fard
• 2 Sunnah before the 2 Fard (highly recommended)

Video - How to pray

Other facts

• The call to Fajr prayer marks the beginning of the obligatory daily fasting (sawm) during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

• There is a Surah called 'Fajr' which means 'Dawn'

Hadith quotes

Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said, "He who observes Al-Bardan (i.e., Fajr and `Asr prayers) will enter Jannah.''Sahih Bukhari and Muslim, Narrated by Abu Musa

Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said, "He who performs Salah (prayers) before the rising of the sun and before its setting, will not enter the Hell.'Sahih Muslim, Narrated by Abu Zuhair `Umarah Ruwaibah

Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said, "He who offers the dawn (Fajr) prayers will come under the Protection of Allah. O son of Adam! Beware, lest Allah should call you to account in any respect from (for withdrawing) His Protection.''Sahih Muslim, Narrated by Jundub bin Sufyan

Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said, "There are angels who take turns in visiting you by night and by day, and they all assemble at the dawn (Fajr) and the afternoon (`Asr) prayers. Those who have spent the night with you, ascend to the heaven and their Rubb, Who knows better about them, asks: `In what condition did you leave My slaves?' They reply: `We left them while they were performing Salah and we went to them while they were performing Salah.'''Sahih Bukhari and Muslim, Narrated by Abu Hurairah