The Sunnah of Fajr is one of the regular Sunan that the Muslim performs daily
The Sunnah of Fajr is one of the regular Sunan that a Muslim performs daily. It encompasses several other Sunan. Before presenting them, it is important to present the regular Sunan that are to be performed on a daily basis called “As-Sunan Ur-Rawātib”, and they are twelve Rak‘ahs.
Ummu Habeebah, may Allāh be pleased with her, said, “I heard the Messenger of Allāh (PBUH) saying, ‘Whoever prays twelve Rak‘ahs in a day and night, a house will be built for him in Paradise.’.” (Muslim no. 728)
In another narration by At-Tirmidthiy, he added, “Four Rak‘ahs before Dthuhr, two Rak‘ahs after Dthuhr, two Rak‘ahs after Maghrib, two Rak‘ahs after ‘Ishā’, and two Rak‘ahs before Fajr prayer.” (At-Tirmidthiy no. 415)
It is preferred to offer the regular Sunan at home.
This is proven by the following Hadeeth:
Zayd Ibn Thābit (ABPWH) narrated that Allāh’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “O people, perform your voluntary prayers at your homes, because one’s best prayer is the prayer he performs at home, except for the obligatory prayers.” (Al-Bukhāriy no. 7290, Muslim no. 781)
The most assured Sunnah of the daily Sunan is the Sunnah of Fajr.
This is indicated by the following Ahādeeth:
1) ‘Ā’ishah, may Allāh be pleased with her, said, “The Prophet (PBUH) was not
so much particular about observing any of the voluntary deeds as he was
particular about observing the two voluntary Rak‘ahs before Fajr prayer.” (Al-Bukhāriy no. 1196, Muslim no. 724)
2) ‘Ā’ishah, may Allāh be pleased with her, said that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “The two Rak‘ahs of Fajr are better than the whole world and all that it contains.” (Muslim no. 725)
The Sunnah of Fajr is legal in both travel and residence.
Characteristics of the Sunnah of Fajr:
Firstly, The Sunnah of Fajr is legal in both travel and residence. As for the rest of the Sunan, it is Sunnah to leave them out in travel, like the Sunan of Dthuhr, Maghrib, and ‘Ishā’ prayers.
Its reward is better than the whole world and all that it contains.
Characteristics of the Sunnah of Fajr:
Secondly, Its reward is better than the whole world and all that it contains.
It is recommended to perform these two Rak‘ahs short.
Characteristics of the Sunnah of Fajr:
Thirdly, It is recommended to perform these two Rak‘ahs short.
This is proven by the following Hadeeth:
‘Ā’ishah, may Allāh be pleased with her, said, “The Prophet (PBUH) used to perform the two Rak‘ahs before Fajr prayer short that I would wonder whether he recited Al-Fātihah or not.” (Al-Bukhāriy no. 1171, Muslim no. 724)
Yet, performing this Sunnah of making the Sunnah of Fajr short, should not lead one to hasten in his prayer to the extent that is prohibited.
It is Sunnah to recite the following in the two Rak‘ahs of Fajr:
Characteristics of the Sunnah of Fajr:
Fourthly, It is Sunnah to recite the chapter of { قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ } in the first Rak‘ah after Al-Fātihah, and to recite the chapter of { قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ } in the second Rak‘ah after Al-Fātihah.
Alternatively, one can recite the following verse in the first Rak‘ah,
{ قُولُواْ آمَنَّا بِاللّهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالأسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَى وَعِيسَى وَمَا أُوتِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لاَ نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ }
“Say O Muslims, ‘We believe in Allāh and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrāheem (Abraham), Isma’eel (Ishmael), Ishāq (Isaac), Ya‘qoob (Jacob), and to Al-Assbāt (the twelve sons of Ya‘qoob), and that which has been given to Moosā (Moses) and ‘Eissa (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted in Islam.’.” (Al-Baqarah, Verse 136)
In the second Rak‘ah, one can alternativelys recite the following verse:
{قُلْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْاْ إِلَى كَلَمَةٍ سَوَاء بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلاَّ نَعْبُدَ إِلاَّ اللّهَ وَلاَ نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئاً وَلاَ يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضاً أَرْبَاباً مِّن دُونِ اللّهِ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَقُولُواْ اشْهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ}
“Say O Muhammad, ‘O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), come to a just word between us and you, that we worship none but Allāh, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allāh. Then, if they turn away say, “Bear witness that we are Muslims.”.’.” (Soorat Āl-‘Imrān, Verse 64)
It is Sunnah to lie down on the right side after finishing the two voluntary Rak‘ahs of Fajr
Characteristics of the Sunnah of Fajr:
Fifthly, It is Sunnah to lie down on the right side after finishing the two voluntary Rak‘ahs of Fajr. ‘Ā’ishah, may Allāh be pleased with her, narrated that when the Prophet (PBUH) completed the two Rak‘ahs of Fajr, he would lie down on his right side.” (Al-Bukhāriy no. 1160, Muslim no. 736)
Remaining seated after finishing Fajr prayer in one’s place of prayer until the sun rises.
Jābir Ubn Samurah (ABPWH) narrated, “The Prophet (PBUH) used to remain seated in his place in the mosque after praying Fajr until the sun fully rises.” (Muslim no. 670)