The Fajr prayer: when and how to pray it

Fajr is prayed between the appearance of dawn and sunrise: it must be prayed before the sun rises, never while it is rising.

When?

The Prophet ﷺ said: « The time of the dawn prayer is from the appearance of dawn as long as the sun has not risen. When the sun rises, refrain from prayer, for it rises between the two horns of Satan. » (Sahih Muslim 612)

• Start: Fajr time, announced by the adhan of your mosque or shown in your app.
• End: sunrise time (Shuruq).
• Best: pray at the start of its time, well before sunrise. The Prophet ﷺ was asked which deed Allah loves most; he answered: « Prayer on time. » (Sahih al-Bukhari 527, Sahih Muslim 85)
• Never while the sun is rising.

How to pray it?

1. The two Sunnah rak'as, before Fajr. The Prophet ﷺ said: « The two rak'as of Fajr are better than this world and everything in it. » (Sahih Muslim 725). In them he recited Al-Kâfirûn then Al-Ikhlâs (Sahih Muslim 726).
2. The two obligatory rak'as of Fajr. In each rak'a: Al-Fâtiha then a surah, recited aloud by the imam or by the person praying alone.
3. The remembrances after the salam, then the morning remembrances.

Why it matters so much

• Allah says: « …and the recitation at dawn, for the recitation at dawn is witnessed. » (Al-Isrâ', 17:78)
• The Prophet ﷺ said: « Whoever prays the morning prayer is under the protection of Allah. » (Sahih Muslim 657)
• He also said: « Whoever prays the two cool prayers will enter Paradise. » They are Fajr and Asr. (Sahih al-Bukhari 574, Sahih Muslim 635)

Tips not to miss it

• Go to bed early, after Isha.
• Set an alarm a few minutes after Fajr time in your city. The L'Imam Virtuel app can play the adhan, even with the phone locked.
• Make wudu as soon as you wake up, without going back to bed.

Remember

Fajr has 2 obligatory rak'as, preceded by 2 highly recommended Sunnah rak'as. It is prayed after dawn appears and before sunrise, preferably at the start of its time.

The religious texts in this article come from the Quran and authentic hadiths, with their references. For a personal question, ask a person of knowledge.