Fajr (Dawn Prayer)
The first of the five daily prayers, performed at dawn.
Fajr (Arabic: فجر) is the first of the five daily obligatory prayers in Islam. The word "fajr" means "dawn" in Arabic and refers to the time when the first light begins to appear on the eastern horizon, before the sun rises.
The Fajr prayer consists of two rak'ah (prayer cycles) and is the shortest of the five daily prayers. It must be prayed in the period from the true dawn (when the light spreads horizontally along the horizon) until sunrise. It is recommended to pray Fajr as early as possible after the adhan.
Fajr time is calculated based on the sun's position below the horizon. Most calculation methods use a solar angle of between 15° and 19° below the horizon. At higher latitudes, the Fajr time can vary significantly between summer and winter. In summer, Fajr may begin as early as 2-3 AM, while in winter it can be as late as 6-7 AM.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever prays the Fajr prayer is under Allah's protection." The Fajr prayer is considered one of the most important prayers, as it requires one to rise from sleep to worship Allah.
Related terms
Masjid al-Haram (The Sacred Mosque)
The holiest mosque in Islam, located in Mecca, which surrounds the Kaaba.
Raf' al-Yadayn (Raising the Hands)
The practice of raising the hands to the shoulders or ears at specific points in the prayer.
Minaret (Prayer Tower)
The mosque's tower, from which the adhan (call to prayer) is traditionally recited.
Al-Kafi (The Sufficient)
The most important Shia hadith collection, with extensive chapters on prayer.
Salat al-Ayat (Prayer of the Signs)
An obligatory prayer performed during natural phenomena such as solar and lunar eclipses.
Barakah (Blessing)
Divine blessing and abundance, obtained through worship and good deeds.