Punctuality in Salaah
Q1. During the summer months when Fajr is earlier, I experience difficulty in performing Salaah on time. Please prescribe a way to remedy this.
A1. We have reproduced a Fatwa regarding the same topic below:
People generally have trouble waking up for the Fajr Salaah, thus we will provide a prescription for awakening for Fajr first.
Hadrat Abu Moosa Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Whoever performs the Fajr and Asr Salaah will enter Jannah.” [Bukhari / Muslim]
Hadrat Jundub Bin Sufyaan Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Whoever performs Fajr Salaah is in the protection of Allah Ta’ala, therefore, O son of Adam, see that Allah Ta’ala does not seek anything from you that is in His protection.” [ Muslim]
The above narrations are sufficient to prove the importance of the Fajr Salaah. However, many people have trouble in awakening for the Fajr Salaah. We have, therefore, listed some advices that would possibly assist one in awakening easily for Fajr:
1. Form a habit of sleeping early; refrain from sleeping late. The lights should be switched off at a fixed time daily, after which, all household members should retire to bed.
2. Have an early supper. Refrain from a heavy supper late at night, as sleeping on a full stomach makes it difficult for one to awaken easily in the morning. If one partakes of meals after Esha, take at least 40 steps before sleeping.
3. Reduce one’s consumption of liquids (water) at night, as drinking excessive liquids at night results in laziness, which makes it difficult to awaken.
4. Set a loud alarm that is sufficient to disturb your sleep from such a distance, whereby one will be required to leave his bed to switch it off.
5. Recite the last 4 verses of Surah Kahf, which have proven beneficial for easy awakening.
6. Seek assistance from Allah Ta’ala through Dua and Salaah before retiring to bed.
For the remaining Salaah, it is best that you request some friend (who is punctual with his Salaah) to fetch you, or accompany you to the Masjid. This is applicable to Fajr as well.
Read two Rakaats Salaah daily before sleeping and make Dua to Allah Ta’ala for punctuality upon Salaah.
After every Salaah, make Shukr to Allah Ta’ala for the ability of performing the Salaah.
Discharge Sadaqah daily even if it is R2.00.
If you miss Salaah, engage in sincere Taubah and you should feel as though you have lost all your wealth and family.
Recite a portion of the Quraan Sharif daily and engage in basic Zikrullah which will provide the spiritual strength to omit sins and proceed towards righteousness.
Recite a portion of Fadhaa’il-e-Salaah daily from Fadhaa’il-e-Aamaal of Hadrat Sheikh Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Saheb Rahimahullah.
Q2. Considering the struggle I have with waking up early for Fajr Salaah, would it be permissible to relieve myself during Adhaan, in order to be on time for Salaah with Jamaat?
2. If you have an urge to visit the toilet and you know that after visiting the toilet it takes you a while to get ready for Salaah, you may visit the toilet while the Adhaan is being called out, although the best will be to visit it before, or after, the Adhaan is called out.
ويندب القيام عند سماع الاذان.
(الدر المختار و حاشية ابن عابدين 1/57)
المشقة تجلب التيسير(الأشباه و النظائر 1/49)
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani
Date: 10 Dhul Qa’dah 1446 / 09 May 2025
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb