01/07/2021
Intentionally Missing Fajr Prayers ?
It’s quite a growing issue amongst the Muslims of today that many are continuously and habitually missing their Fajr prayers.
They try to justify their actions by presenting excuses such as "It's too hard to wake up so early" or "my alarm went off but I was too tired to get up", or even "waking up early will interrupt my ability to focus at work or school". And so they miss the prayer on purpose with the intention of making it up as soon as they wake up assuming that it’s excusable and and their prayers will be accepted without an issue.
But surprisingly, if the dunya affairs like school, work, an important trip or a flight, calls them to wake up in these early hours, you'll find the very same people the first to be diligent and keen to ensuring they wake up on time being fully aware that if they are not punctual, there will be consequences awaiting.
Now, this extremely misleading notion among many of us about being able to sleep through Fajr prayers and simply make it up later on, is dangerous and needs to be addressed.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “He who forgets the prayer, or he slept (and misses it), its expiation is (only) that he should observe it when he remembers it.” Sahih Muslim 684c
قَالَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ نَسِيَ صَلاَةً أَوْ نَامَ عَنْهَا فَكَفَّارَتُهَا أَنْ يُصَلِّيَهَا إِذَا ذَكَرَهَا
Now, this hadith is very clear in stating that there is an expiation of missing prayers only on two scenarios.
1. When one forgets
2. When one has overslept and missed the prayers.
Meaning, one was sincerely intending to pray on time, but simply had forgotten or had overslept. This does NOT include a person who is careless about the prayer and does not make an effort to ensure the prayer is priority.
Accordingly, the excuse of missing a prayer is only valid when one unintentionally forgot or overslept on a prayer. In that case, he/she must make it up right when one awakens and remembers, even if it’s during times when prayers are disliked to be prayed in. So it does not befit that any obligatory prayer be delayed after one remembers or awakens.
So, for those who are in a habit of missing Fajr every day and praying it only when they wake up, then take heed that YOU HAVE NO EXCUSES. Prayers are only valid when unintentionally missed after having the sincere intentions and efforts to pray on time. Be warned that prayers which are delayed on their fixed times without any valid excuse as stated above will have consequences.
"So woe to those performers of prayers, who delay their prayer from their stated fixed times." [Al-Maa‘oon 107:3-4]
Prayer times should never be adjusted to fall in line with your life schedule, rather, we need to always make an effort to adjust our schedules to ensure we always have time for prayers. So if praying Fajr seems like a struggle, then sleep earlier, set the alarm clock, ask a family member who prays Fajr to wake you up as well, don’t stay up late on your phone on useless activities then claim it was too difficult to wake up for Fajr. Have your sincere intentions, ask Allah to help you keep steadfast in all your prayers and in sha Allah Fajr prayer will be beloved to your heart.
