The Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever observes the Fajr prayer in congregation is under Allah’s protection for the rest of the day.”

This is glad tidings for those who guard this prayer which is very difficult upon the hypocrites. Then who is it that will not like to be under the protection and watchfulness of Allah? Protection from falling into errors, misguidance, and from someone acting unjustly against you.

This reality is only known by those who have put that into practice. One of them will even say: “Observing the Fajr prayer in congregation protects me from evils of the streets, foolish acts of the people, and the sense of belittling the nature of deeds.”

How is that achieved? That is the protection mentioned in the prophetic Hadith; it is the awe Allah puts in the hearts of those who observe the Fajr prayer in the congregation.

Indeed, the attendance of the angels at dawn is meritorious. Allah (SWT) said: “Verily, the recitation of the Qur’an in the early dawn is ever witnessed (attended by the angels in charge of mankind of the day and the night.)” (Al-Isra’: 78)

This recitation referred to in the verse above will protect those attending the prayer from foolish and imprudent acts of the people. The angels will be helpers to those who observe the prayer and hear the recitation therein. Is there any human who can stand in the face of an angel, or fight him?

The two supererogatory units of prayer that accompany the Fajr prayer are the best optional prayers with Allah. The proof for that is the following hadith: “The two units of prayer before the dawn prayer are better than the world and what it contains.” (Muslim)

Therefore, whoever observes such a prayer is among the richest slaves of Allah. He has dignity in the sight of Allah. People will love him and not like to forsake him.

The same goes for the obligatory units performed in the Fajr prayer. No other obligatory prayer, except the Asr prayer, is as excellent as it is, because of the special state of those who observe it. They are those purified from shrik and nifaq because most often those who observe the Fajr prayer force themselves to contradict what their souls want of them in terms of ease and comfort of sleep. They deprive their bodies of sleep and with that, they untie the knots which the devil ties by their ears, and rise from their sleep to prostrate to their Lord, remember, praise, and glorify Him. This is the reason none of them will enter the Hellfire – because of their striving against their soul and the devil.

Abu Bakr ibn Umarah ibn Ruaybah (RA) narrated from his father who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) saying: “The Fire will not consume anyone who observes the prayer before the sunrise and sunset.” (Muslim). He was apparently referring to Fajr and Asr prayers.

It is well established that those who watch over their Fajr prayer in the mosque are those who are better in health and soul. Research has indicated that what makes them better is that they enjoy a period of tranquility and are able to observe an obligatory act after a period of sleep.

With that, they combine the ease from sleep and the ease that comes from the observance of the prayer. And above all, their souls will never smell the foul and sinful breaths of other creatures of Allah.

by Aamir Shammaakh