Fajr prayer is one of Islam’s five mandatory Salah (prayers), which a Muslim must perform daily. Fajr, which means dawn in Arabic, is the pre-sunrise prayer and is considered significant due to its association with the start of a new day. This prayer comprises two Sunnah rakats (voluntary units of prayer) and two Fard rakats (obligatory units of prayer).

1.    Intention (Niyyah): Begin by making your intention clear in your heart. For the Fajr prayer, your intention should be to perform two Sunnah rakats first, followed by two Fard rakats of Fajr for the sake of Allah.

2.    Takbeer: Raise both your hands up to your ears and say "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest). This action is known as Takbeer. After saying the Takbeer, fold your hands over your chest, right hand over the left.

3.    Recite the Opening Supplication (optional): You can recite the opening supplication: "Subhaanak-Allaahumma, wa bihamdika, wa tabaarakasmuka, wa ta'aalaa jadduka, wa laa ilaaha ghayruka." ("Glory be to You, O Allah and all praises are due unto You, and blessed is Your name and high is Your majesty and none is worthy of worship but You.")

4.    Recite Surah Al-Fatiha: Now, recite Surah Al-Fatiha, the opening chapter of the Quran. This Surah is a crucial part of every unit of prayer.

5.    Recite a Short Surah or Verses from the Quran: After reciting Surah Al-Fatiha, choose a section from the Quran to recite. This could be a short Surah or a few verses from a longer one.

6.    Perform Ruku (Bowing Down): After your recitation, say "Allahu Akbar" and bow down. This position is called Ruku. While bowing, your hands should be on your knees, and your back should be flat. While in this position, say "Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem" (Glory be to my Lord, the Great) three times.

7.    Stand Up from Ruku: After that, stand up straight and say "Sami' Allahu liman hamidah" (Allah hears the one who praises Him), followed by "Rabbana wa lakal hamd" (Our Lord, and to You be all praise).

8.    Perform Sujood (Prostration): Say "Allahu Akbar" and prostrate on the ground. This position is called Sujood. While in Sujood, say "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) three times.

9.    Sit and Perform Second Sujood: After the first Sujood, sit and say "Allahu Akbar." Then, perform the second Sujood, just like the first one.

10. Stand for the Second Rakat: After the second Sujood, stand up again, saying "Allahu Akbar" for the second Rakat, and repeat steps 4 to 9.

11. Sit for Tashahhud after Second Rakat: After the second Sujood of the second Rakat, sit down for the Tashahhud. Here, you recite."

"At-Tahiyyatu Lillahi Was-Salawatu Wat-Tayyibatu. As-Salamu 'Alaika Ayyuhan-Nabiyyu 'Warahmatullahi 'Wabarakatuhu. As-Salamu 'Alaina Wa'ala 'Ibadillahis-Salihin, Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa Rasuluh."

This means: "All compliments, prayers, and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and the righteous slaves of Allah. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger."

12.  End the Prayer (Salaam): After reciting the Tashahhud, end the prayer by turning your face to the right and saying "As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmat-Allah" (Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy), and then to the left and repeat the same. This action symbolizes peace and respect to all fellow Muslims.

It's important to note that the first two rakats are Sunnah, and the last two are Fard. The Sunnah rakats are considered highly recommended but not obligatory, while the Fard rakats are mandatory. The process of prayer is the same for both Sunnah and Fard rakats.

Also, remember to focus on your connection with Allah throughout the prayer. Your prayer is not only physical movement but a time of reflection, supplication, and remembrance of Allah. It's a chance to find peace, seek forgiveness, and ask for guidance in your life.

Praying Fajr has many spiritual, psychological, and physical benefits, some of which are as follows:

1.    Spiritual Awakening: Praying Fajr helps to start the day with the remembrance of Allah, leading to a spiritual awakening and a day filled with the consciousness of God.

2.    Earning Allah's Protection: According to a Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), praying Fajr earns the protection of Allah for the entire day.

3.    Reward from Allah: The reward for performing the Fajr prayer in the congregation is very high. The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) is reported to have said: "The two Sunnah cycles of prayer preceding Fajr prayer are better than this world and everything in it." (Tirmidhi)

4.    Peace and Tranquility: The early morning prayer can bring a sense of peace and tranquility. It is a quiet and peaceful time allowing deep reflection and connection with Allah.

5.    Better Health: Regularly waking up early for Fajr can improve sleep patterns and overall health. It encourages a healthier lifestyle and better discipline in sleep habits.

6.    Start of a Productive Day: Waking up early for Fajr prayer helps to start the day early, allowing for a more productive and structured day.

7.    Stronger Willpower and Discipline: Regularly waking up for Fajr prayer helps to develop stronger willpower and discipline. It requires determination and commitment, which can extend to other areas of life.

8.    Increased Sustenance: According to Islamic beliefs, the early morning is a blessed time, and those who wake up early may have increased sustenance.

9.    Fajr Prayer Protects Us From Hell-Fire
According to the Hadith:
“Whoever performs the Prayer before the rising of the Sun and the Prayer before its setting will not enter Hell.” – [Muslim] [Ref- Riyad as-Salihin 1048]

10. Angels Witness the Morning Recitations
“Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur’an [i.e., recitation] of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed.” –  [Al-Isra: 78]

11. Morning Prayer Leads to Paradise
One thing that all will be asked about on the day of judgment is the five daily Salahs. To enter Jannah, one must not skip the Fajr prayer, even if it means sacrificing their sleep and waking up at dawn only for Allah’s pleasure.

Remember, the primary purpose of the Fajr prayer, like all forms of Islamic prayer, is to serve as a constant reminder of Allah and the greater purpose of our lives. It helps Muslims maintain an awareness of their spiritual connection and keeps the faith alive daily.

The Fajr prayer is performed before sunrise. It is the first of the five daily prayers (Salah) performed by practicing Muslims. The Fajr prayer time starts at the break of dawn, known as "Fajr-al-Mustatil," when the morning light appears horizontally along the horizon. It ends at sunrise, known as "Fajr-al-Sadiq."

Therefore, the time window to perform the Fajr prayer is between the appearance of the horizontal light and sunrise. The exact timing of the Fajr prayer can vary depending on the location and the time of year.

Many Muslims use prayer schedules provided by their local mosque or Islamic apps and websites that provide accurate prayer times based on location. It's important to note that the prayer should be completed before sunrise, and it is highly recommended to perform it as soon as the time for it begins.

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