Q. Could you please explain what should a person do when he knows in advance that he will not be able to wake up for Fajr prayer? Is it right for him to offer Fajr prayer when he wakes up? Furthermore, is it acceptable that one should offer a prayer within the last quarter of an hour before the end of its time?
(Name and address withheld)
A. It is very important that everyone should try their best to wake up for Fajr prayer and offer it on time, i.e. between the break of dawn and sunrise. This is the time God has set for it and it should be observed. No one is really unable to offer this prayer on time. Unfortunately in our life today, we have become used not to go to sleep before midnight. Hence, waking up so early becomes very difficult for us. Nevertheless, one must try one’s best, setting an alarm clock, or asking a person in his household to wake him up. If after such precautions one still misses his Fajr prayer, then he should offer it as soon as he wakes up. This is not as a compensatory prayer; it is offering the prayer on time. Hence, the need to attend to it first thing on waking up. The Prophet (peace be upon him) says: “Whoever sleeps through the time range of a prayer or forgets it, should offer it on being mindful of it; for this is its time.”
Offering a prayer at the end of its time range is not recommended, but the prayer is acceptable. God denounces the hypocrites for being sloth in their attitude to prayer. This may take the form of habitually delaying prayer until the end of its time. However, it should be remembered that one of the best things we do is to offer each prayer at the beginning of its time.
