Fajr Time in Chicago, United States is 05:46 AM
Salat Al Fajr, the morning prayer, is the first of the five obligatory salah in Islam. The prayer is performed between daybreak and sunrise and is therefore regarded as the first prayer of the day. The Fajr prayer is also one of the two salah prayers mentioned explicitly by name in the Quran. Additionally, during the month of Ramadan, Muslims mark the start of their fasts with the Fajr salah.
The Fajr namaz rakat consists of 4 rakats. Out of which 2 rakat are sunnah mu'akkadah and 2 rakat are fard (obligatory). In this guide, we aim to help you learn:
The Fajr salah begins at true dawn (al-fajr al-ṣādiq) when a horizontal ray of light appears on the horizon on the east. This occurs before the false dawn (al-fajr al-kādhib), in which a vertical ray of light appears on the horizon.
The true dawn or al-fajr al-ṣādiq is when the night officially ends and the day starts. This marks the beginning of Fajr time. The prayer holds immense importance in Islam and must be offered immediately after true dawn.
Fajr time ends at daybreak – when the sun begins to rise.
To summarize, Fajr starts at true dawn and ends when the sun rises above the horizon.
If you find it challenging to keep track of prayer timings, the Muslim and Quran prayer times mobile application offers accurate prayer times for all regions across the world. Set custom notifications so you can wake up to offer your Fajr salat on time.
Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) says in the Quran: Observe the service of prayer from the sun's declining from the meridian to the darkening of the night, and the recitation at dawn. Indeed, the recitation at dawn is palpably evident. — Surah Al-Isra (17:78)
The prayer becomes qada or "missed" once the sun rises in the sky. If the reason for not offering the prayer was unintentional, such as forgetfulness, it is recommended to offer the prayer as soon as one recalls it. However, scholars suggest offering prayers within their prescribed time, as the late offering of prayer deducts the rewards.
The 2 rakat Sunnah are not obligatory, but Muslims are encouraged to prayer these 2 Sunnah rakat's because these are the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
The 2 fard rakat are obligatory and must be performed. Missing them constitutes a major sin in Islam.
Here's a step-by-step guide to pray the Fajr prayer:
Before the beginning of any salah, you must ensure you're standing in the direction of the Qiblah. The Qiblah direction can be identified via the Muslim and Quran app.
Next, make the intention to perform the Fajr salah. Intention before the beginning of prayers can be made within one's heart or even whispered. Merely saying "I intend to offer 2 rakat fard for fajr prayer in the way of Allah" is enough.
The first position to undertake during salah is the Qiyam. Stand with both your hands folded in front of you. Then, with both your palms facing outwards, raise them until your ears and shoulders, and say "Allahu Akbar". This is the Takbir al-Ihram, also known as the first Takbir.
Next, bring your hands to rest at your chest with your right hand over your left (gripping the wrist).
Note: the Hanafi school of thought recommends men fold their hands below the navel whereas women fold their hands on their chest without gripping their wrist.
There is a specific dua that must be recited at the beginning of every prayer (after Takbir). The dua and its translation are as follows:
“Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta’ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk”
Translation: "Glorious You are, O Allah, and with Your praise, and blessed is Your Name, and exalted is Your majesty, and none has the right to be worshipped but You."
Seek refuge from the devil by reciting the following dua:
“A‘oodhu Billaahi min ash-Shaytaan ir-rajeem”
Translation: "I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Shaytan."
Every prayer's rakat begins with the recitation of Surah Fatiha. Recite Surah Fatiha and follow through with another Surah or section of the Quran as per your wishes. However, if you have just started to pray, it is recommended to recite a shorter Surah. For instance, Surah Ikhlas or Surah Nas.
After reciting the Surahs, you must go into the ruku by bowing. Place your hands on your knees and bend downstairs (from the waist). Your torso should be almost parallel to the ground in the Ruku.
Then, say the tasbih of ruku: "Subhana Rabbiyal Atheem" three times while in ruku.
After the recitation of the ruku tasbih, as you rise back to a standing position, recite:
"Sami’-Allahu liman hamidah"
Translation: Allah listens to the one who praises Him".
When you're standing upright again, say:
“Rabbanaa wa lakal hamd”
Translation: Our Lord, and to You belongs the praise."
Sujood, or the position of prostration, requires you to go down to the ground until your toes, knees, nose, and forehead are touching the ground. Position your palms on the ground on either side of your head, and recite the tasbih of sujood by saying "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la," three times.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said about the sujood:
"I have been commanded to prostrate on seven bones: the forehead (along with the nose), the two hands, the two knees, and the toes of the two feet." — Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 4, Hadith 261
Juloos is the position of sitting. Raise yourself from the sujood without standing up. It's a position you undertake when you're sitting but not standing up. Sit up straight with your lower body on the ground.
Men sit on their left foot with their right foot upright (toes pointing toward Qibla). Women sit with both legs tucked to the right side, resting on the left hip (called Tawarruk).
Recite Allahu Akbar as you enter Juloos and recite Allahu Akbar again as you bend forward again for the second sajdah. Recite "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la" three times and stand up in the Qiyam position. This completes the first rakat.
The second rakat is done the same way as the first rakat. However, after sujood, instead of rising up for Qiyam, enter juloos and recite Tashahhud.
Next, rise up in Qiyam. This will complete the second rakat.
After the second rakat is complete, enter into juloos (sitting position) and recite the Tashahhud and Durood-e-Ibrahimi, and then turn your head to the right and recite taslim.
Say: “Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah”
Then turn your head to the left and repeat "Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah."
This completes the 2 rakat fard prayer.
The 2 rakat sunnah is offered the same way.
He who prayed the morning prayer (in congregation) he is in fact under the protection of Allah. And it can never happen that Allah should demand anything from you in connection with the protection (that He guarantees) and one should not get it. He would then throw him in the fire of Hell." — Sahih Muslim, Book 5, Hadith 329
The Fajr Salah is of great spiritual importance. Being the first of the five obligatory prayers, the prayer helps Muslims mark the beginning of their day through the remembrance of Allah – bringing forth blessings and rewards for their day. Additionally, offering the Fajr salah daily helps maintain discipline and connect with Allah to strengthen one's faith.