Fajr, the pre-dawn prayer, holds immense significance in the Islamic faith. It marks the beginning of the day, a time of tranquility and reflection. Performing Fajr in a mindful and reverent manner sets the tone for a spiritually uplifting and productive day. Here are some essential steps to guide you in performing Fajr:
Before sunrise, wake up with the intention of performing Fajr. Begin by making ablution (wudu) to purify yourself. Face the Qibla (direction of Mecca) and recite the Adhan (call to prayer). This sets the mood and reminds you of the importance of the prayer you are about to perform. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and raise your hands to your ears, uttering “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great).
Proceed with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, the opening chapter of the Quran. Follow it with additional Quranic verses or supplications. Bow down by placing your hands on your knees and saying “Allahu Akbar.” Return to a standing position and say “Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah” (God hears the one who praises Him). Then, fall into prostration by touching your forehead, nose, and palms to the ground. Repeat this sequence of bowing and prostration twice more. Conclude the prayer by sitting in the Tashahhud position and reciting the final supplications.
Pre-Fajr Preparations
Intention and Recitation
Before beginning Fajr, one should establish the intention to perform the prayer. This can be done silently or by reciting the following words:
“Nawaitu an usalli Sunnata l-Fajri rak’atayni lillahi ta’ala.”
Meaning: “I intend to pray two rak’ahs of the Sunnah of Fajr for the sake of Allah Most High.”
Ablution (Wudu)
Wudu, or ritual purification, is obligatory before performing Fajr. It involves washing specific parts of the body in a particular order:
Table: Steps of Wudu
| Step | Procedure |
|---|---|
| 1 | Wash the hands up to the wrists three times. |
| 2 | Rinse the mouth three times. |
| 3 | Sniff water into the nostrils three times and blow it out. |
| 4 | Wash the face three times from the hairline to the chin and from ear to ear. |
| 5 | Wash the right arm three times, from the fingertips to the elbow. |
| 6 | Wash the left arm three times, from the fingertips to the elbow. |
| 7 | Wipe the head with wet hands once, from the front to the back. |
| 8 | Wipe the inner part of the ears once. |
| 9 | Wash the right foot three times, from the toes to the ankles. |
| 10 | Wash the left foot three times, from the toes to the ankles. |
Making Wudu
Wudu is the ritual purification process performed before prayer. It involves washing specific parts of the body with water. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making Wudu:
1. Intention: Begin by making the intention of performing Wudu. Say, “Bismillahi, ar-rahman, ar-rahim” (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful), to signify your intention.
2. Wash Hands: Rinse both hands thoroughly three times, ensuring to wash between the fingers and up to the wrists.
3. Rinse Mouth: Rinse your mouth three times with water, gargling each time to clean the inside of the mouth.
4. Wash Nose: Sniff water into your nose three times and blow it out gently to cleanse the nasal passages.
5. Wash Face: Begin by washing your face from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin, and from ear to ear, to ensure complete coverage.
6. Wash Arms: Wash both arms from the elbows to the fingertips, including the forearms and wrists, rubbing thoroughly to remove any dirt or impurities.
7. Wipe Head: Use wet hands to wipe the top of your head, starting from the front and moving backward, and then wipe the inside of your ears.
8. Wash Feet: Wash your feet up to the ankles, including between the toes and the top of the feet. Repeat three times for each foot.
9. Check for Completeness: Once you have completed the steps, check that all parts of your body have been washed properly and that there are no dry spots remaining.
Performing the Sunnah Prayers
Before the obligatory Fajr prayer, Muslims are encouraged to perform two Sunnah prayers. These prayers are optional but highly recommended as they bring additional blessings and rewards.
Sunnah Prayers Before Fajr
The two Sunnah prayers before Fajr are:
- First Sunnah: Two rak’ahs, each with Surah Al-Fatihah and three other verses.
- Second Sunnah: Two rak’ahs, each with Surah Al-Fatihah and five other verses.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the second Sunnah prayer with five verses after Surah Al-Fatihah:
| Rak’ah | Sunnah Verse after Surah Al-Fatihah |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 2 |
Reciting Adhkar and Supplications
The Adhkar of Fajr
Before performing Fajr prayer, it is recommended to recite specific supplications and adhkar (remembrances of Allah). These include:
- SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah) – 33 times
- Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) – 33 times
- Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) – 34 times
Supplications after Fajr
After completing Fajr prayer, it is highly recommended to recite the following supplications:
- The Sunnah Dua (Prayer): “Allaahumma innaka ‘alamtu…” (O Allah, You know…”)
- The Dua of Protection: “Allaahumma innee as’aluka…” (O Allah, I ask You for protection…”)
- The Dua of Forgiveness: “Astaghfirullah” (I seek forgiveness from Allah)
| Supplication | Translation |
|---|---|
| Allaahumma innaka ‘alamtu… | O Allah, You know… |
| Allaahumma innee as’aluka… | O Allah, I ask You for protection… |
| Astaghfirullah | I seek forgiveness from Allah |
Reciting these adhkar and supplications brings numerous blessings and rewards, including:
- Seeking forgiveness for sins
- Protecting oneself from harm
- Strengthening one’s faith
- Earning Allah’s pleasure
Seeking Allah’s Protection
Fajr is the first prayer of the day, performed at dawn. It is a time of great spiritual significance, as it is the time when the darkness of night gives way to the light of day. It is also a time when the faithful can reflect on the blessings of Allah and seek His protection for the day ahead.
There are many ways to seek Allah’s protection during Fajr. One way is to recite the following supplication:
| Supplication |
|---|
| “Bismillahillahi r-Rahmani r-Raheem. Allahumma inni as’aluka khairi ma fi hadhihi s-sa’ati, wa khairi ma ba’daha, wa a’udhu bika min sharri ma fi hadhihi s-sa’ati, wa sharri ma ba’daha. Allahumma inni as’aluka an tusalliya ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammadin, kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahima, innaka hamidun majid” |
| “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. O Allah, I ask You for the best in this hour and for the best in what comes after it. And I seek refuge in You from the evil in this hour and from the evil in what comes after it. O Allah, I ask You to send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Abraham and upon the family of Abraham. Verily, You are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious.” |
Another way to seek Allah’s protection during Fajr is to recite the following verses from the Quran:
| Verse | Translation |
|---|---|
| “Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His Light is as a niche within which is a lamp, and within the lamp is an oil-lamp. The oil-lamp is as a shining star, lit from a blessed tree, an olive that is neither of the East nor of the West. Its oil would almost glow forth even if no fire touched it. Light upon light. Allah guides to His Light whomever He so wills. And Allah sets forth parables for humanity. And Allah knows all things.” (Surah An-Nur, 24:35) | |
| “He is Allah, besides Whom there is no other god. He is the Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. He is Allah, besides Whom there is no other god. He is the Sovereign, the Holy, the Perfect, the Peacemaker, the Keeper of Faith, the Guardian, the Mighty, the Compeller, the Sublime. Glory be to Allah, above that which they associate with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner. To Him belong the most beautiful names. Whatever is in heaven and earth glorifies Him. And He is the Almighty, the Wise.” (Surah Al-Hashr, 59:22-24) |
Making Dua
After reciting the Tashahhud, make Dua. Dua is a form of supplication or prayer where you express your needs, desires, and thanks to Allah. It is a highly recommended practice in Islam and can be performed at any time of day or night. When making Dua, it is important to be sincere and humble, and to have faith that your prayers will be answered.
There are several etiquettes to observe when making Dua, including:
- Facing the Qibla (direction of the Kaaba in Mecca)
- Raising your hands with your palms open
- Starting with praise and gratitude to Allah
- Reciting specific supplications or making your own heartfelt requests
- Ending with peace and blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
| Dua for Fajr |
|---|
| “O Allah, You are the Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the King of the kings, the God of the gods. There is no god but You, the One, the Self-sufficient, the Everlasting, the Sustainer of all. I bear witness that Muhammad is Your servant and Your Messenger. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the Hellfire and the torment of the grave. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the trials of life and the afflictions of death. O Allah, I ask You for forgiveness for my sins and the sins of my parents. O Allah, guide me to the straight path and make me one of the righteous.” |
It is recommended to recite the Dua for Fajr after performing the optional two Rak’ah Sunnah prayer before Fajr.
How to Perform Fajr
Fajr is the first prayer of the day, and it is one of the most important prayers in Islam. It is a time to reflect on the day ahead and to ask Allah for guidance and protection.
Fajr is performed before sunrise, and it consists of two rak’ahs. The first rak’ah is started with the intention of performing Fajr prayer, then recite Surah Al-Fatihah and any other surah. Then, perform ruku’ (bowing) by keeping your back straight, perform sujud (prostration) twice, and then sit up. The second rak’ah is performed in the same way as the first rak’ah, except that you do not recite Surah Al-Fatihah after the first rak’ah.
After completing the two rak’ahs, you will recite the Tashahhud, then the Salawat, and then make dua.
People Also Ask
What time does Fajr start?
Fajr starts at the first light of dawn, and it ends at sunrise.
How many rak’ahs are in Fajr?
There are two rak’ahs in Fajr.
What should I recite during Fajr?
You should recite Surah Al-Fatihah and any other surah during Fajr.
What is the dua for Fajr?
The dua for Fajr is: “Allahumma inni as’aluka bi ‘ilmika al-ghaybi wa qudratika ‘ala al-khalqi an taghfira li dhanbi wa an taghfir li khatiy’ati wa an tahdini li at-tawbah wa an tuberrid qalbi wa an tughniya ‘an fadlika fa inni ‘abduka al-faqir al-muhtaj ilayka.”
