Question:
What is the ruling of the two rak’as before Fajr?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate,
The relied upon position is that the two units of sunna before the Fajr prayer are an emphasized sunna. However, its emphasis is greater than that of the remaining sunna prayers for the following reasons: [Tahtawi/Shurunbulali, Hashiyat Maraqi al-Falah]
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) would never miss this Sunna prayer, even when travelling; he would also dismount his camel in order to pray them. These actions are indicative of a stronger emphasis than the remaining sunna prayers. [Ibid.]
For these reasons, some scholars did deem it to be necessary (wajib), although this is not the relied upon position. [Ibid.]
Time Constraint
If you wake up and time only allows for one prayer before the Fajr time exits, you must give preference to the Fajr prayer. In such a case, you will not make up the missed sunna prayers. You can pray an addition two rak’as of nafl later on to make up for the missed routine, seeking an increase in rewards missed.
I hope this helps,
Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani