The fajr (dawn) prayer

The fajr (dawn) prayer is amongst the most important acts of worship, being one of the five obligatory prayers.


Unfortunately many have become so used to missing it at its prescribed time which ends at sunrise - have forgotten its position in the religion, and barely feel anything is wrong when waking up in the morning for work or school without having performed the fajr prayer.

Muslims should know the great status of fajr in the sight of Allah. Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning) "Establish regular prayers at the sun's decline till the darkness of the night, and the recital of the Qurâan in the fajr prayer, for the recital of the fajr is witnessed". (Al-Israa 17:78)

In addition, the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Whoever prays the fajr prayer in congregation, it is as if he (or she) had prayed the whole night long".

[Muslim & Tirmidhi].

The Prophet (PBUH) "The most burdensome prayers for the hypocrites are ishaa and fajr, but if they only knew what they contain, they would come even if they had to crawl."

[Ahmad]

The practical aspect of dealing with the problem includes a number of steps which can be taken in order to get used to praying fajr regularly in congregation:

* Having a sincere intention and being determined (when going to sleep) to get up for fajr;

* Remembering Allaah upon waking up.

Allah's Apostle (PBUH) said, "During your sleep, Satan knots three knots at the back of the head of each of you, and he breathes the following words at each knot, 'The night is long, so keep on sleeping.' If that person wakes up and remembers Allah, then one knot is undone. When he (or she) performs ablution (wudu) the second knot is undone. And when he (she) prays, all the knots are undone, and he (she) gets up in the morning lively and in a good mood, otherwise he (she) gets up dull and gloomy." [Bukhary]

* Sleeping early. According to an authentic Hadeeth, the Prophet (PBUH) used to dislike sleeping before ishaa and talking after it. (The kind of talk that is discouraged in this case, as the commentators explain, is that in which there is no clear benefit.)

* Family members should encourage one another, and likewise roommates sharing the same apartment.

* Avoid eating too much before going to bed. Overeating can cause a deep, heavy sleep.

* Finally, true devotion to Allah is the best thing to motivate a person to get up for prayer, because Allah alone controls all means of help.

May Allah Almighty facilitate this prayer and give guidance to what pleases Him...amiin.

(http://www.islamicteachings.org/forum/five-pillars-of-islam/fajr-prayer-t1934.html)