The Blessings of Waking Up for Fajr

The Blessings of Waking Up for Fajr

Picture a morning full of zen, waking up feeling well rested, no annoying noises, frantic alarms, half eaten breakfast and scrambling to get out the door. Instead, beginning your day in serenity, having the ability to take your time in getting ready, practicing a few moments of meditation and mindfulness. Standing before your Creator, counting and expressing gratitude for your blessings, practising the rememberable of Allah (SWT). Taking the time to set a peaceful and calming tone to the day with a slow and early start to the day. The beautiful religion of Islam facilitates us with the ability to experience the beauty of waking up early through the obligation of the Fajr prayer. 

But let's get serious, many of us struggle with having to leave our warm, cozy beds, especially at the break of dawn, hitting the snooze button repeatedly on all our alarms as we would give anything just to get a few extra minutes of sleep. Plagued with bad habits of going to sleep late, losing the true meaning of worship and the importance of fulfilling our religious obligations, has left us blinded and deprived of the benefits of waking up early to practise moments of worship. Let's explore how waking up and starting our day with Fajr prayer can be life-changing and how it helps shape our Deen (spirituality), dunya(worldly life) and akhirah (hereafter).

Waking up for Fajr is heavily promoted and emphasised in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself led by example as he was known for waking up in the last third of the night to participate in numerous forms of worship such as dhikr, Sunnah prayers (i.e: Tahajjud Prayer) and the congregational Fajr prayer. 

More precisely, The day for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) often started before dawn, as he preferred to participate in the act of nightly worship, also known as “Tahajjud Prayer”; these prayers are performed in the last third of the night right before the Fajr prayer.

‌Once he had completed his nightly prayers, the Prophet (PBUH) would then head to the masjid in order to participate in the congregational Fajr prayer, 

‌The Prophet (PBUH) prioritized the Fajr prayer, making it the longest of the five daily prayers. He used this quiet time to engage in dhikr and Quran recitation. This routine effortlessly aids in strengthening his spiritual health and setting a positive and productive tone for the day. It can easily be understood that waking up early for Fajr prayer wasn't just a habit for him, in fact it was a practice deeply rooted in spiritual and worldly benefits. Reported by Jundab b. 'Abdullah, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, 

"He who prayed the morning prayer (in congregation) he is in fact under the protection of Allah. And it can never happen that Allah should demand anything from you in connection with the protection (that He guarantees) and one should not get it. He would then throw him in the fire of Hell." [Sahih Muslim 657a]

The above Hadith highlights one of the major benefits of the Fajr prayer as timely completion will land us under the protection of Allah (SWT). Additionally, it acts as an eyeopener as well to start prioritizing our Fajr prayers so that we can avoid the gruesome punishment of Hellfire. 

The time of Fajr prayer is also known as the best time to invite barakah (blessings) in your house and lives. That paired with Allah (SWT)'s ultimate protection leaves us with unfathomable benefits. 

If we are to draw inspiration from the Prophet’s practice of waking up early to engage in the remembrance of Allah for extended periods, DEENIN has the ideal product for you. The Ebadat Prayer Rug with Backrest is designed to offer essential back support to those seeking to sit comfortably and immerse themselves in deep connection with their Lord. Available in 3 vibrant colors, the Ebadat Prayer Rug with Backrest is made with extra foam padding to ensure maximum comfort during your prayers. To top it all off, its foldable and compact feature allows its storage process to be completely hassle-free making it a great addition to your homes. Quickly get your prayer rug and kickstart the addition of new habits in your daily routine.