Overview of Fajr Prayer
Fajr is the first of the five daily prayers and is prayed at dawn before sunrise. It is one of the most rewarding prayers — the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever prays the two cool prayers (Fajr and Asr) will enter Paradise." (Bukhari & Muslim)
Step 1: Perform Wudu
Before praying, you must be in a state of ritual purity. See our complete Wudu guide for the step-by-step process. If unsure about what breaks Wudu, read What Breaks Wudu.
Step 2: Pray 2 Sunnah Rak'ahs (Before Fajr)
The 2 Sunnah rak'ahs before Fajr are the most emphasised Sunnah prayer in Islam. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The two rak'ahs of Fajr are better than the world and everything in it." (Muslim)
💡 Tip: Keep the Sunnah rak'ahs light and short. The Prophet ﷺ would recite Surah Al-Kafirun (109) in the first and Surah Al-Ikhlas (112) in the second.
Step 3: Pray the 2 Fard Rak'ahs
After the Sunnah, pray the obligatory 2 Fard rak'ahs. Here is the step-by-step breakdown:
1
Make the Intention (Niyyah)
Form the intention in your heart: "I intend to pray 2 rak'ahs of Fajr Fard, facing the Qibla, for the sake of Allah." The intention is in the heart — you don't need to say it aloud.
2
Takbiratul Ihram — Say "Allahu Akbar"
Raise both hands to ear level and say:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu Akbar — "Allah is the Greatest"
Then place your right hand over your left on your chest.
3
Recite the Opening Dua (Sunnah)
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ وَلَا إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabaraka ismuka, wa ta'ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghayruk
"Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your name and exalted is Your majesty. There is no god but You."
4
Recite Surah Al-Fatiha
Say "A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim, Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim" then recite Al-Fatiha. After finishing, say "Ameen".
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ...
5
Recite a Surah or Verses
After Al-Fatiha, recite another surah or a few verses. The Sunnah in Fajr is to recite longer passages than other prayers. Good choices: Surah Al-Mulk, Surah Al-Waqi'ah, Surah Yaseen, or shorter surahs like Al-Ikhlas if you're a beginner.
6
Ruku (Bowing)
Say "Allahu Akbar", bow with your hands on your knees, back straight, and say:
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Subhana Rabbiyal-Adheem (3 times) — "Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent"
7
Stand from Ruku
Rise up saying: "Sami'Allahu liman hamidah" then "Rabbana wa lakal hamd".
8
Sujud (Prostration) — Twice
Say "Allahu Akbar" and prostrate with your forehead, nose, palms, knees and toes touching the ground:
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى
Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la (3 times) — "Glory be to my Lord, the Most High"
Sit briefly between the two sujud saying "Rabbighfirli", then prostrate again.
9
Second Rak'ah
Stand up for the second rak'ah. Repeat steps 4–8 (Al-Fatiha, surah, ruku, sujud).
10
Final Tashahhud & Tasleem
After the second sujud, sit and recite At-Tahiyyat, then send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ (Salawat). End by turning right then left saying:
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah
🌅 Tips for Never Missing Fajr
- ⏰ Set multiple alarms — place your phone across the room so you must get up
- 🌙 Sleep early after Isha — the Prophet ﷺ disliked staying up late without reason
- 📿 Recite the bedtime adhkar — including Ayatul Kursi and the duas before sleep
- 🤲 Ask Allah sincerely to wake you for Fajr
- 📱 Use Muslim Friend app with Fajr adhan alerts and alarms
- 👥 Buddy system — arrange for someone to call or message you at Fajr
- 💡 Remember the reward — the Prophet ﷺ said Fajr in congregation equals standing the entire night in prayer
After Fajr — Adhkar & Dhikr
After completing Fajr, remain seated and recite the morning adhkar. This is the Sunnah — the Prophet ﷺ would sit after Fajr until sunrise, remembering Allah. Staying in your prayer place until sunrise and then praying 2 rak'ahs (Ishraq) earns the reward of a complete Hajj and Umrah (Tirmidhi).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many rak'ahs is Fajr prayer?
Fajr has 2 Sunnah rak'ahs (before the Fard) and 2 Fard (obligatory) rak'ahs — 4 total. The 2 Sunnah are "better than the world and everything in it" (Muslim).
What time is Fajr prayer?
Fajr begins at true dawn (first light on the horizon) and ends at sunrise. The exact time varies by location and season. Use our
prayer times tool for your city.
Can I pray Fajr after sunrise?
Fajr's time ends at sunrise. If missed, pray it as soon as you remember — this is qada (making up). The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever forgets a prayer or sleeps through it, let him pray it when he remembers" (Bukhari & Muslim).
What should I recite in Fajr?
Recite Al-Fatiha + another surah in each rak'ah. The Sunnah is to recite longer passages in Fajr. Beginners can start with short surahs like Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq or An-Nas.
How can I wake up for Fajr?
Set multiple alarms, sleep early after Isha, recite bedtime adhkar, make dua, use the Muslim Friend app with Fajr alerts, and ask someone to call you.