How Many Rakats Are in the Fajr Prayer?

The Prophet PBUH said that ‘Whoever performs the morning prayer (Fajr prayer) is under the protection of Allah SWT.’  [Sunan Ibn Majah, 3945]

The Fajr prayer is the first obligatory prayer before dawn. It is also known as the dawn prayer because it takes place between the break of dawn and sunrise. It marks the beginning of the day and ensures that our whole day starts with the right intentions and includes the blessings of Allah.

Rakats of Fajr Prayer

The word rakat is derived from the Arabic language and means to bow. In terms of salah, it is described as a single cycle of the required actions and recitations that Muslims perform during salah. The Fajr prayers consist of four rakats. Two of these rakats are fard (obligatory) rakats, and the remaining two are sunnah rakats, also known as sunnah ratibah prayers (established sunnah). The Prophet PBUH consistently performed these sunnah prayers, whether he was at home or traveling.

The Virtues of Fajr Sunnah Prayers

The Prophet PBUH said that ‘the two Rak’ah before the Fajr prayer hold more value than anything in this world.’ [Riyad as-Salihin 1102]

Hazrat Aisha RA reported that the Prophet PBUH said that ‘the two sunnah prayers of Fajr are more dear to me than anything else in this world.’ [Sahih Muslim 725b]

These hadith indicate just how important the two sunnah prayers of Fajr are. Therefore, one should make it his top priority to be able to perform these sunnah prayers every day. But if the time of the prayer is coming to an end, he should first pray the fard rakat and, if he has time, perform the sunnah rakats.

Missing the Fajr Sunnah

The Prophet PBUH said that ‘If someone misses the two Rak’ah before Fajr, he should pray them after the sun has risen.’ [Jami` at-Tirmidhi 423]

If one misses the Sunnah before Fajr in a congregation, then he should make it up after Fajr but before sunrise. If he forgets to do so before sunrise, they can perform it up to twenty minutes after sunrise.

Benefits of Fajr Prayer

• Starting the day with the remembrance of Allah SWT.
• A chance to communicate with our Lord in the silence of the morning.
• Strengthening of faith as one gets up from his sleep to perform the prayer.
• Angels witness Quran recitation during the Fajr prayer. [Sunan Ibn Majah, 670]