Fajr salah is the first salah of the day, performed early in the morning. It sets a positive tone for the day and holds great significance in Islam.
Waking up early in the morning for Fajr would not only strengthen your Imaan but have positive effects on your health too.
It is unfortunate to see people waking up as early as 4 am for their morning exercise but neglect their Fajr prayer.
It is understandable that in working households, early mornings can be a rush for everyone to go to their office, colleges, schools etc. But, that is the whole point; you must make time for your Fajr namaz which takes hardly less than 10 minutes with immense rewards.
What is the timing of Fajr Salah?
Fajr is performed between the break of dawn to sunrise. The precise timings will differ according to your location and season. You may refer the timings based on your location online or ask someone experienced.
It is best to pray at the earliest and not dilly-dally.
Which direction to face ?
One must be facing the Qibla i.e. the west. You may use a compass or apps that are available to help you with the direction of Qibla.
How many Rakat are in Fajr?
There are two Rakat in Fajr salah:
- 2 Rakat Sunnah (Emphasized)
- 2 Rakat Fard
Steps in Fajr Salah
Steps for 2 Rakat sunnah
Before starting the salah:
- Make Wudu
- Lay your prayer mat and stand facing the Qibla with a gap of at least four fingers between your feet and keep your eyes downcasted on the point of prostration.
During the Salah:
- Begin with declaration of Niyyah by reciting:
“Nawaitu’an Usallia Lillahi Ta’Ala Rakati Salatil Sunnati Rasullilahi Ta’Ala Mutawajjahan ilah jatil ka’abatish sharifati Allahu Akbar.”
While saying Allahu Akbar raise your hands towards your ears with your palms facing the Qibla but do not touch them; then fold your hands below your chest and above the navel.
2.Recite Sana as “Sana Subhanaka Allah humma wa bihamdika, wa tabaraka ismuka, wa ta’ala. jadduka, wa la ilaha ghairuk.”
3. Recite Tawwuz “a’auodu billahi minash- shaytaanir rajeem” followed by Tasmiyah “bismillahir rahmaanir raheem.”
4. Recite Surah Al’ Fatiha:
الْحَمْدُ للهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ) اهدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّين
“Alhamdulillahi rabbil’ aalameen Ar- Rehmanir Raheem maaliki yawmideen , iyyakana’abudu wa iyyakanasta’een, ihdinas siraatal mustaqeem, siraatl ladheena, an’amta alayhim ,ghayril maghdhoubi alayhim, waladduaaaleen. Ameen”
5. And then, recite any additional Surah. For e.g., Surah Ikhlas:
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدَّ اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدُ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
“Qul huwallahu ahad Allahus-samad Lam yalid walam yulad walam yakul-lahu kufwan ahad.”
6. Pause for a moment then say Allahu Akbar while raising your hands towards your ears similar to the step done while declaring niyyah.
7. Ruku
Bend making a 90 degree angle (your back has to be straight, do not create an arch) and grasp your knees while spreading your fingers over them. Keep your sight at your feet.
Then recite:
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
“Sub-haana Rabbeyal Azeem” (3x)
8. Stand up, raise your hands towards your ears with your palms facing the Qibla
And recite:
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَه
“Samey-Allahu-leman-hameda.”
9. Lower your hands and recite:
رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ
“Rabbana Lakal Hamd.”
10. Sajdah 1: Position yourself for your first Sajdah and say Allahu Akbar simultaneously.
- Touch your knees to the ground followed by your hands.
- Place your palms with your fingers together pointing towards the Qibla.
- Place your nose and then forehead on the ground. keep your palms levelled to your shoulders.
- There should be gap between your thighs and your stomach.
- Point your toes in a manner that they face the Qibla with their base lying flat on the ground.
- Once you’ve acquired perfect positioning, recite:
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى
“Sub-haana-Rabbeyal-Ala.” (3x)
11. Sajdah 2: Sit up while saying Allahu Akbar with your palms set on your thighs then again put your palms and head in prostration (Sajdah) and recite the following and again sit up with your palms on your thighs.
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى
“Sub-haana-Rabbeyal-Ala.” (3x)
12. This marks the completion of 1 rakat.
13. Now, stand back up and resume the Qiyam positioning i.e. fold your hands below your chest and above the navel.
14. Repeat the steps 3-11 (add another surah of your choice after reciting Surah Al’ Fatiha).
15. Resume into the sitting position with your palms on your thighs and toes facing the Qibla.
16. Recite :
ٱلتَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّٰهِ وَٱلصَّلَوَاتُ وَٱلطَّيِّبَاتُ، ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ ٱللَّٰهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَىٰ عِبَادِ ٱللَّٰهِٱلصَّالِحِينَ، ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ(raise your index finger)
“Attta-Hee-Yaatu Lillaahi Was-Salawaatu Wat-Taie-Yi-Baatu As-Salaamu Alaika Aie-Yu-Han Nabeeyu Wa Rahmatul Laahi Wa Barakaatu As-Salaamu Alaienaa Wa Alaa Ibaadil Laahis-Saaleheen (raise your index finger) Aashhadu Allaa Ilaaha Illal-Laahu (lower your index finger) Wa Aashhadu Aanna Muhammadan Abduhu Wa Rasulu”
17. After this, perform the Tasleem (salutation) by looking towards your right shoulder and say
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ
“Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah”
18. Repeat step 17 looking at your left shoulder.
This marks the completion of the muqadah (emphasised) 2 rakat sunnah of Fajr.
Steps for 2 rakat Fard
1.Repeat all the steps done in 2 rakat sunnah. Only slight change will occur while declaring the niyyah.
“Nawaitu’an Usallia Lillahi Ta’Ala Rakati Salatil Fard Rasullilahi Ta’Ala Mutawajjahan ilah jatil ka’abatish sharifati Allahu Akbar.”
2. After the Tasleem (salutation) you can recite the following dua:
رَبَّنَا عَائِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
“Rabbana atina fid dunya hasanatan wa fil Aakhirati hasanatan waqina ‘adhaban-nar“
“Our Lord, bring us in the (present) life a fair (reward), and in the Hereafter a fair (reward), and protect us from the torment of the Fire.”
3. Make dua for yourself, your loved ones and the ummah our Prophet and ask Allah for everything that you desire and ask him to provide you with what is better for your soul.
4. For additional rewards, complete your salah by reciting the following:
سُـبْحانَاالله
“SubahanAllah” (33x)
“Glory be to Allah”
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ
“Alhamdulillah” (33x)
“Praise be to God”
اللهُ أَكْـبَر
“Allahu Akbar” (34x)
“Allah is greatest”
