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3. How to Pray Fajr Salah

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Fajr is the pre-dawn prayer and consists of two Fardh Rak’ahs. 

It has been narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

Whoever prays Fajr is under the protection of Allah, so do not fall short with regard to the rights of Allah.

[Hadith | Muslim, 657]

What are the benefits of Fajr Salah?

Fajr Salah holds a special status and carries great reward.

As mentioned, the beloved Prophet (PBUH) taught us that those who pray Fajr are under the protection of Allah, highlighting its spiritual significance. Beginning the day with prayer helps us strengthen our faith and sets a foundation of remembrance and discipline for the rest of the day.

Performing Fajr, like all Salah, also helps us remain close to our Deen (religion) and gain closeness to Allah, serving as a way to remember Him, talk to Him, and connect with Him.

Find out more about the importance of Salah here.

How many Rakats in Fajr Salah?

Fajr Salah consists of two Fardh (compulsory) Rak’ahs, which are obligatory for every adult Muslim.

In addition to these, it is supererogatory (an optional extra) to perform two Rak’ahs before Fardh. The Prophet (PBUH) consistently observed these prayers and emphasised their importance.

For a detailed guide on how to perform the Fardh Rak’ahs for each prayer – including illustrations, Surahs to recite, and Du’as (supplications) along with their meanings, click here, otherwise, read on for our quick guide on how to pray Fajr Salah.

A step-by-step guide to praying Fajr Salah

Step 1

Make sure you have performed Whudu (ablution), wear clothing which covers your awrah (intimate parts) and make a sincere intention (Niyyah) to perform the two Fardh Rak’ahs of Fajr prayer.

Step 2

Stand facing the Qibla with your feet shoulder-width apart.

Step 3

Raise your hands and say “Allahu Akbar” to begin the prayer. Then place your right hand over your left.

Step 4

If you follow the Hanafi or Hanbali Madhabs (schools of thought), it is Sunnah to recite Sana at this point: “Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta’ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk”.

Step 5

Recite Ta’awadh (A’udhu billahi min ash-shaytaan-ir-rajeem) and Tasmiah (Bismillah hir rahman nir raheem).

Step 6

Recite Surah Al-Fatihah.

Step 7

After reciting Surah Al-Fatihah, recite another Surah or ideally at least three verses from the Quran. 

Step 8

Bow (Ruk’ah) while saying “Allahu Akbar”, and place your hands on your knees. Say “Subhana Rabbiy-al-‘Adheem” at least three times.

Step 9

Rise from the bowing position and stand upright, while saying “Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah” then say “Rabbana lakal hamd” once standing.

Step 10

Prostrate (Sujood) by saying “Allahu Akbar” and place your forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes on the ground. Say “Subhaana Rabbiy-al-A‘laa” at least three times and then sit back briefly saying “Allahu Akbar” as you rise to a sitting position. After a few seconds, return back into prostration and repeat “Subhaana Rabbiy-al-A‘laa” three times once more.

Step 11

Rise from the prostration and stand up whilst saying “Allahu Akbar”. 

Step 12

To complete your second Rak’ah, repeat steps 5-10 once more, and sit back into the position mentioned in step 10, saying “Allahu Akbar” as you rise.

Step 13

Recite Tashahhud (At-tahiyyatu lillah, was-salawaatu wat-tayyibaat. As-salaamu ’alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Ullahi wa barakaatu. As-salaamu ’alayna, wa ’alaa ‘ibaadi-llahis saaliheen. Ashhadu alla ilaha illallah wa ashhadu anna muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluhu).

Step 14

Send Salawat upon the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by reciting: “Allahumma Salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammadin, kama sallaita ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala aali Ibrahima innaka Hamidum-Majeed. Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammadin kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala aali Ibrahima innaka Hameedum-Majeed”.

Step 15

It is highly recommended to recite some Sunnah du’as (supplications) at this point.

Step 16

Conclude the prayer by turning your head to the right and then to the left, saying “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah” each time.

You have now completed your Fajr prayer, Alhamdulillah! To learn more about performing Salah, scroll through the resources below, or visit our Salaah Hub.

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Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.     •     Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.     •     Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature. Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.     •     Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.     •     Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature. Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.     •     Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.     •     Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.
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