Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim.
In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. All the praises and thanks be to Allâh, the Lord of the 'Alamîn . The Only Owner of the Day of Recompense. You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help. Guide us to the Straight Way. The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace , not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray .
____________
89: (Al-Fajr)- The Dawn
Surah al-Fajr (Break of Dawn)
Number of Verses: 30
Sūra al-Fajr (Arabic: سورة الفجر) is the 89th surah of the quran. It is a makki sura located in the 30th juz thereof. "Fajr" literally means dawn, by which god swears in the first verse of this sura. In hadith-based exegeses of the Qur'an, the "dawn" has been interpreted as imam al-mahdi (a), the Twelfth Shiite Imam.
Sura al-Fajr begins with an , it points out the fates of people of Ad, Thamud, and the Pharaoh, as well as their corruptions and transgressions. The sura suggests that people are always subject to the divine test, although some of them fail in this test. The sura also refers to reasons of their failure.
Sura al-Fajr is also known as "Sura of Imam al-Husayn (a)". In some hadiths, the "reassured soul" in the last verses of the sura is interpreted as referring to Imam al-husayn (a). According to some hadiths, if one recites the sura in the ten nights, God will forgive his , and if he recites it in other days, a light will accompany him in the day of resurrection. Sura al-Fajr is among the suras engraved on the present darih of al-Imam al-Husayn.
This Surah, like many other Meccan Suras, contains short, meaningful, awakening verses with abundant warnings.
There are several oaths mentioned in the first part of the Surah that have no precedent and are primarily for warning the transgressors about the divine punishment.
Another part of this Surah points to some of the ancient rebellious nations, such as the 'Ad and Thamood people; and also to Pharaoh. The transgressor, and the divine punishment that destroyed them, which is a lesson for all arrogant powers so that they may take careful account of their situation.
In the next part of the Surah, which relates to the previous parts, Man's trial is mentioned and his neglect, in doing good deeds, is very sharply criticized.
In the last part of the Surah the discussion is about the Hereafter and the fate of the sinners and unbelievers, and presents a contrast in regard to the great rewards that the believers will receive; those whose souls are at rest.
Regarding the virtue of studying this Surah, a tradition from the Prophet (S) says:
"Allah forgives the mistakes of whoever recites, Surah Fajr, on the
'Ten Nights',
(i.e., the first ten nights of Zul-Hajj), and it will become a light on Dooms Day for the one who recites it at other times ((of the year)".
Also, a tradition from Imam Sadiq (as) says:
"Recite Surah Fajr, which is Husain-ibn-Ali's Surah, in your prayers, whether they be obligatory or optional. He who recites it will be with him (Husain ibn Ali) at the same place in Heaven on the Day of Judgement".
Introducing this Surah as Husain-ibn-Ali's Surah may be for the reason that the clear example of the
'serene soul'
as mentioned at the end of the Surah, is Husain-ibn-Ali (as), as the idea has also been cited from Imam Sadiq (as) about the same verses.
Or, perhaps, it is for the same reason that one of the commentaries about the 'Ten Nights' means the first ten nights of Muharram, (the first month of the Muslim new year), which is closely relevant to Husain-ibn-Ali (as).
At any rate, these great rewards and outstanding merits are for the ones who recite the Surah as a preparation for their own self-improvement and self-perfection.
___
Benefits
This Surah was revealed in Makkah and it has 30 ayaat. Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) urged believers to recite this Surah in their prayers as it is the Surah of Imam Husayn (a.s.) and the one who recites it often will be in the company of Imam Husayn (a.s.) on the Day of Judgement.
It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (S) that the one who recites this Surah, Allah (S.w.T.) will forgive his sins amounting to ten times the number of people who recite this Surah. On the Day of Reckoning he will have a shining light. If this Surah is written as a talisman and then tied to one's back, after which he goes into his wife, then Allah (S.w.T.) will give him a child who will be a means of pride and blessings for him.
___
Lessons
Allah takes an oath by the time of Fajr which is particularly interesting. Fajr time signals the start of a new day. It signifies the time when birds and animals wake up, and so do those who want to seek the pleasure of their Lord. Some scholars have said that this oath refers to Islam, and how Islam came and tore apart darkness, like the first light at Fajr tears apart the darkness of the sky! Allah then continues to take three more oaths
2 by the Ten Nights 3 by the even and the odd, 4 by the passing night 5 is this oath strong enough for a rational person?
Allah takes an oath on the ten nights of Dhul Hijjah, by the even (all of creation) and the odd (Allah Himself) and also by the passing of the night (which signifies the powerlessness of humans in controlling nature). And then Allah asks if this oath is in and of itself strong enough for a rational person!
Allah shows His majesty and power in the breaking of dawn, in that He can choose nights to be greater than other, in that while everything else is even, He is One and Only, and that He controls when the night arrives and leaves and then He moves into the main portion of the Surah!
Oppression will not go unpunished
The Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, There is no wrong action which Allah ) is swifter to punish in this world in addition to the punishment which He has stored up for the wrongdoer in the hereafter than injustice and cutting off ties of kinship. [1]
Thus, oppression and injustice is a serious sin that will not go unpunished. In fact it is a darkness, and Allah takes oaths by the passing of the night, by Fajr and by the fact that He is One when everything and everyone else is in pairs. Then He gives examples of how He has destroyed oppression in the past
6 Have you considered how your Lord dealt with [the people] of Ad 7 of Iram, [the city] of lofty pillars, 8 whose like has never been made in any land, 9 and the Thamud, who hewed into the rocks in the valley, 10 and the mighty and powerful Pharaoh? 11 All of them committed excesses in their lands, 12 and spread corruption there: 13 your Lord let a scourge of punishment loose on them.
And then Allah reminds us that even today, He does not let go of oppression and that He knows it all and all that is occurring on earth is actually part of His wisdom— 14Your Lord is always watchful
Hasty Nature of Man
However, in general man is hasty. Imam Ahmad therefore points out that Allah mentioned Sabr (patience, perseverance) ninety times in the Quran- mentioning its rewards, exhorting people to be patient and giving examples of how patience pays dividends in life and the hereafter! In Surah Fajr Allah gives an example of the hastiness of man
15 [The nature of] man is that, when his Lord tries him through honour and blessings, he says, 'My Lord has honoured me,' 16 but when He tries him through the restriction of his provision, he says, 'My Lord has humiliated me.' 17 No indeed! You [people] do not honour orphans, 18 you do not urge one another to feed the poor, 19 you consume inheritance greedily, 20 and you love wealth with a passion.
Allah mentions how man when tested with good thinks Allah has honoured him, while in difficulty thinks Allah has humiliated him. However, Allah uses the word ibtalaa for both honour and blessings and also restriction of provision, thus proving that while bad times are a test, good times are a test too! In fact the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam was narrated to say that he feared more for his ummah that Allah would open up riches of the land for them rather than fearing for his ummah hardships!
Allah then gives further examples of how man is hasty- declines to feed the poor, doesn't take care of the orphans, consumes inheritance very greedily and loves wealth with a great passion! Allah mentions all of this because when we hear of Firawn, Ad, Thamud we do not think we have anything to relate to. Yes, their oppression was simply at another level, but we are also being oppressors by harming orphans, the poor, eating wealth illegally etc.
Allah gives warning
21 No indeed! When the earth is pounded to dust, pounded and pounded, 22 when your Lord comes with the angels, rank upon rank, 23 when Hell is that Day brought near– on that Day man will take heed, but what good will that be to him then? 24 He will say, 'Would that I had provided for this life to come!' 25 On that Day, no one will punish as He punishes, 26 and no one will bind as He binds.
Allah reminds us of the Day of Judgement, and reminds us of how the Earth as big as it is will be pounded to dust, as mentioned in Surah Kahf, "We shall reduce all this to barren dust" [2]. Allah mentions when He will come with mightly Angels also arriving at the scene in rows upon rows, and all that we have done will be laid bare for all to see. Hellfire will be brought near, and on that Day when man will see hell, will he remember, but it would all be in vain! He will wish that he would have spent some of his time preparing for the life to come, and then Allah reminds of how severe will be His punishment on the Day of Judgement.
All of this is a reminder to not be hasty, to not be running only after the dunya like those destroyed nations mentioned earlier, so that we may save ourselves.
As always, Allah gives us a way out
After the very sobering reminder of the destruction of oppressive nations, of how we might just become oppressors ourselves and of how harsh and painful the Day of Judgement will be, Allah gives the lifeline, to a specific type of person-
27 '[But] you, soul at peace 28 return to your Lord well pleased and well pleasing; 29 go in among My servants; 30 and into My Garden.'
While Allah mentions before hasty people, He now mentions "soul at peace" because the soul which worships and obeys Allah will be at peace as Allah mentions in Surah Rad, "truly it is in the remembrance of God that hearts find peace.[3]" And for those who worship Allah, are not hasty and are rather in peace with themselves, their Lord, their families and everything around them, Allah calls them in the first person to come pleasing to Him, into His Garden among His beloved servants!
The Quran is a book full of gems that can change our lives. Now it is Ramadan, which is a month of great barakah. You too can learn to understand the Quran, and benefit from it and understand it. Perhaps then you would not be reading this article, but rather writing one like it or even better! Join one of the UnderstandQuran courses, whether you are , or if you are placed better than going forwards to the !
***
For many of us, waking up for Fajr can be difficult and burdensome however, there are some virtues that we fail to realise! In this article, I will analyse some of the merits of this blessed prayer, Fajr as documented in the Qur'an and Sunnah In'sha'Allah
1) Oath by Fajr
As Muslims, we are not allowed to take oaths by anyone other than Allah, But Allah, the Most Majestic can take an oath by anything he wishes. In the beginning of Surah Fajr, the 89th Chapter of the Qur'an, Allah begins the Surah by swearing upon the dawn (Fajr),
"By the dawn" [1]
Every oath made by Allah in the Qur'an mphasises its importance and likewise, Allah has emphasised the time of Fajr.
2) The two Sunan Rakahs of Fajr prayer are better than the entire world
In the Hadith of Aisha (May Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, "Two Rakahs of prayer before the Fajr (Fardh) prayer are better than the world and whatever is in it."[2] For this reason, there is no other Sunan prayer emphasised more by our prophet than these two Rakahs before the Fajr prayer. Our prophet always prayed these two Rakahs Sunan prayers of Fajr and never missed them [3] including whilst travelling even though the concession was there to miss the Sunnah prayers.[4]
3) Whoever prays the Fajr prayer comes under the protection of Allah
In the hadith reported by Jundub ibn Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him), the prophet (Peace be upon him) said, "He who performs the Fajr will be under the protection of Allah."[5] The previous hadith spoke about the merit of the two Rakah Sunan prayer of Fajr and this hadith mentions the merit of praying the actual Fardh of Fajr prayer. For the one who offers the Fardh of Fajr prayer, Allah will protect them the whole day until the next Fajr prayer from harm.
4) The recitation of Qur'an at Fajr is witnessed
Allah says in the Qur'an,
"Establish prayer at the decline of the sun until the darkness of the night and recite the Qur'an at Fajr. Indeed, the recitation of Fajr is ever witnessed." [6]
Who is it witnessed by? The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) recited this verse, 'And recite the Qur'an during the Fajr. Verily, the recitation of the Qur'an during Fajr is ever witnessed.' And said, "It is witnessed by the angels of the night and the day." [7] Out of all the 5 obligatory prayers, our prophet made the Fajr prayer the longest because he knew of this amazing virtue. It was reported that he would recite between 60 to 100 verses just in the Fardh of Fajr prayer![8]
5) Remembering Allah after Fajr can earn you the reward of Hajj & Umrah
The Messenger of Allah, Peace be upon him) said, "Whoever prays the morning prayer in congregation, then he sits remembering Allah until the sun rises and prays two Rakahs (Duha) will have a reward similar to the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage."[9]
That having been said, there are many virtues of Fajr from its time to its recitation. I pray that this article makes us all realise the significance of this great prayer and motivates us to get up and offer it regularly. Lastly, great emphasis has been placed upon preserving the Fajr prayer along with the Asr prayer because it is a time when deeds are taken by angels to Allah, the Most High as our prophet (Peace be upon him) said, "A group of angels stay with you at night and (another group of) angels by daytime, and both groups gather at the time of the 'Asr and Fajr prayers. Then those angels who have stayed with you overnight, ascend and Allah asks them about you —- and He knows everything about you. 'In what state did you leave My slaves?' The angels reply, 'When we left them, they were praying, and when we reached them they were praying.' " [10]
___
Hadiths
Saving From Hell:
At a general level, Muslims offer prayer to submit to Allah Almighty and to show that they are His subjects and they remember and worship Him only. Moreover, the offering of prayers is also something that pleases Allah Almighty and on those whom He is pleased, He showers His blessings on them in this world and in the world hereafter. As Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in one of His hadiths:
"Whoever performs the Prayer before the rising of the sun and the Prayer before its setting will not enter Hell." (Muslim)
This hadith clearly states that among Muslims whoever offers the Fajr and Maghrib prayer will not enter Hell. The thing to consider in this regard is that one does not get expiated from Hell by offering a single Fajr and Maghrib prayer, rather one needs to do it with regularity. Therefore, once a Muslim makes offering of Fajr prayer a part of his or her life, it increases their chances of entering paradise and avoiding Hell.
Angels As Witness:
Another major reason why a Muslim must strictly observe offering of Fajr prayer is the fact that angels sent down by Allah Almighty witness the Fajr prayer offered by a Muslim. About this witnessing, firstly Allah Almighty says in Quran:
The ayah clearly addresses Muslims to establish Fajr and Maghrib prayer, whilst mentioning that the prayer of Fajr is witnessed. This witnessing refers to the witnessing of angels about which Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) spoke in a hadith in the following way:
"There are angels who take turns in visiting you by night and by day, and they all assemble at the dawn (Fajr) and the afternoon (Asr) prayers. Those who have spent the night with you ascend to the Heaven and their Lord, Who knows better about them, yet asks, 'In what condition did you leave My servants?' They reply, 'We left them while they were performing Salah and we went to them while they were performing Salah.'" (Bukhari)
From this hadith of Prophet (PBUH) it is clear that the angels who are sent down by Allah Almighty at night have to return to Him on the morning of the next day. When they reach the court of Allah Almighty and Allah inquires to them abut a particular subject, then these angels witness to that person performing the Fajr prayer. Therefore, a Muslim must try to offer the Fajr prayer on time so that the angels returning back to witness his or her prayer being offered which nonetheless ensures the entry to heaven by the Muslim.
Allah's Protection:
There is no denying the fact that prayers is a means of invoking Allah Almighty. In this invocation a Muslim can ask Allah Almighty for anything, whether it is paradise, the expiation from sins or receiving of Barakah and so on. The one thing that Allah Almighty provides a Muslim without asking is His protection, regarding which Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in a hadith:
"Whoever prays the Fajr prayer, he or she is then under Allah's protection. So beware, O son or daughter of Adam, that Allah does not call you to account for being absent from His protection for any reason." (Muslim)
From the hadith it is clear that the one who offers Fajr prayer is directly under the protection of Allah Almighty. Therefore, if a Muslim wishes to spend the day in a way where he or she does not need to fear anyone, then offering Fajr prayer is a means of doing so at the beginning of the day.
Unmatchable Fajr Sunnah Prayer:
In each of the five times a day prayers, there are certain Sunnah prayers which a Muslim offers either before or after the obligatory prayer. These Sunnah prayer take their name after the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Who used to offer these prayers before or after the obligatory one. Out of the Sunnah prayers, there is none that is equal to the Sunnah prayer that is offered before the Fajr prayer. Regarding these Sunnah prayer, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in a hadith:
"The two Sunnah cycles of prayer preceding Fajr prayer are better than this world and all that it contains." (Tirmidhi)
From this hadith the importance of the Sunnah prayer before Fajr is clear and obvious. Moreover, the point to ponder that can be deduced from this hadith is that if the Sunnah prayer of Fajr have this much importance then how great would be the reward of the obligatory prayer. Thus, every Muslim must complement the Fajr obligatory prayer with the Sunnah rakats.
Quick Tips For Waking Up Early For Fajr:
There is no denying the importance of Fajr prayer, however, there are people who find it hard to wake up early for Fajr prayer. Some sleep late at night, some have long days ahead and so on, because of all which people find it hard to wake up on time for Fajr. In this regard, the following tips can help a Muslim:
The first thing you can do is to set the alarm for the right time. If you turn the alarm to snooze mode a few times, then set the alarm accordingly so that the last time you turn it to snooze, you still have time to get ready for Fajr. Regarding that, you can on your app which will automatically buzz on the specific timings of Fajr prayer according to your location.Secondly, it is a cliché but sleeping early at night really helps. Therefore, the earlier you sleep the easier it gets to wakeup for Fajr.Thirdly, if you think nothing works for you then there should be no shame in seeking the help of parents and peers who can wake you up at the time of Fajr.
___