The 'Fajr' () prayer is the first of the five daily prayers (''
salat'') recited by practising
Muslims. (Fajr means
dawn in the
Arabic language.) The five daily prayers collectively form one pillar of the
Five Pillars of Islam, in
Sunni Islam, and one of the ten
Practices of the Religion (''Furū al-Dīn'') according to
Shia Islam.
The Fajr prayer is mentioned by name in the
Qur'an at 24:58. According to some opinions, it is considered by Muslims to be more precious than their lives. Inspired by the
tafsir of the two
hadiths that were transmitted on behalf of the
Prophet Muhammad, the worth of the Fajr daily prayer is explained as being
God's most-favoured prayer since others are asleep. This has made the Fajr daily prayer the most essential and obligatory
congregational prayer to be held by Muslims together in groups in mosques.
For both types of
Islam, the Fajr prayer requires two ''
fard''
raka'ah. In a congregation, the leader of the prayer (''
imam'') recites aloud. However, two ''
sunnah'' raka'ah are highly recommended prior to the two Fard raka'ah.
The time period within which the Fajr daily prayer must be recited is from the beginning of
dawn[1] to
sunrise.
The call to Fajr prayer marks the beginning of the obligatory daily fasting (''
sawm'') during the Muslim holy month of
Ramadan.
Notes
1. There are differing opinions on what angle to use to calculate dawn. The two popular angles are 15° and 18° below the horizon, yet others use 12°.
See also
★
Salat (Prayer)
★ 'Fajr' (Dawn prayer)
★
Dhuhr (Mid-day prayer)
★
Asr (Afternoon prayer)
★
Maghrib (Sunset prayer)
★
Isha'a (Night prayer)
External links
★
A Guide to Maintain Fajr Salat
★
Our Fajr Double Advantage