Fajr

The Fajr (Arabic: فجر‎) prayer is the first of the five daily prayers (salat) recited by practising Muslims. (Fajr means dawn in the Arabic language.) The five daily prayers collectively form one pillar of the Five Pillars of Islam, in Sunni Islam, and one of the ten Practices of the Religion (Furū al-Dīn) according to Shia Islam.

The Fajr prayer is mentioned by name in the Qur'an at 24:58. According to some opinions, it is considered by Muslims to be more precious than their lives. Inspired by the tafsir of the two hadiths that were transmitted on behalf of the Prophet Muhammad, the worth of the Fajr daily prayer is explained as being God's most-favoured prayer since others are asleep. This has made the Fajr daily prayer the most essential and obligatory congregational prayer to be held by Muslims together in groups in mosques.

For both types of Islam, the Fajr prayer requires two fard raka'ah. In a congregation, the leader of the prayer (imam) recites aloud. However, two sunnah raka'ah are highly recommended prior to the two Fard raka'ah.

The time period within which the Fajr daily prayer must be recited is from the beginning of dawn^[1] to sunrise.

The call to Fajr prayer marks the beginning of the obligatory daily fasting (sawm) during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.