Five practical ways to make Fajr easier
By Team Sukon
Fajr is the prayer many of us find hardest — and the one with some of the greatest rewards. The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever prays the two cool prayers (Fajr and Asr) will enter Paradise (Sahih al-Bukhari 574), and that whoever prays Fajr is under the protection of Allah (Sahih Muslim 657). Here are five habits that make it easier.
1. Sleep early, with a plan
The Prophet ﷺ disliked sleeping before Isha and talking late after it (Sahih al-Bukhari 568). Work backwards from Fajr: if Fajr is at 4:45 AM and you need seven hours, aim to sleep by 9:45 PM. Put your phone on charge outside the bedroom.
2. Sleep with wudu and the Sunnah adhkar
Sleeping in a state of wudu and reciting Ayat al-Kursi before sleep is a Sunnah of protection (Sahih al-Bukhari 2311). It also tells your mind that tomorrow begins with prayer.
3. Use two alarms — and one person
Set one alarm ten minutes before Fajr and a second across the room. Better still, agree with a family member or friend to wake each other. Helping each other in goodness is what Allah asks of us (Quran 5:2).
4. Make the first minute easy
Keep your prayer mat, a jumper and a glass of water ready. When you wake, say the dua: Alhamdulillahil-ladhi ahyana ba‘da ma amatana wa ilayhin-nushur — “All praise is for Allah who gave us life after causing us to die, and to Him is the return” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6312).
5. Remember what you are waking up for
The two Sunnah rak‘ahs before Fajr are better than the world and everything in it (Sahih Muslim 725). When you know the reward, the warm blanket loses its pull.
Check today’s exact Fajr time for your city on the Sukon prayer times page, and turn on reminders on the world prayer times page.