Answered by Saira AbuBakr
Question: I sometimes wake up after sunrise and I am not able to pray fajr prayer on time. Is it okay if I pray it after sunrise?
Answer: walaikum salaam wa RahmatuAllah,
May Allah bless you for asking the question. Waking up for the dawn prayer is a struggle for many people. If you happen to not wake-up on a given day, then make-up the prayer as soon as you wake-up. Perform the two obligatory (fard) cycles (rakahs) of Fajr first and then make-up the two sunnah rakahs (non-obligatory).
The sunnahs are the ones typically prayed before the fard. The sunnahs may be made-up up to the entrance of the Dhuhr (afternoon) prayer. However the fard is made-up indefinitely.
Before sleeping it is important to take all the means possible to enable one to wake up in time. These may include a strong intention; sleeping on wudu and on your right side; an alarm clock; seeking assistance from a friend with a phone call; sleeping early; avoiding heavy meals before sleep etc.
However, above it all, do not despair and know that habits take time to develop. Ask Allah to assist you in this great affair. Do the supplication for facilitation of ease,
اللَّهُمَّ لَا سَهْلَا إلِّا مَا جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلاً وَ أَنْتََ تَجْعَلُ الْحَزْنَ إِذَا شِئْتَ سَهْلًا
Allahuma la sahla illa ma ja-’altahu sahlan, wa Anta taj’alu ‘l-hazna idha shi’ta sahlan.
“Oh Allah there is no ease, except that which you make easy. You make the difficult easy, if You Will”. Narrated by Imam Ibn al Sunni
The morning time is very blessed. The Messenger of Allah, peace and prayers upon him, is reported to have said,
“Oh Allah bless my nation in the early morning time”. Narrated by Imam alTirmidhi and others.
Hence you will find a lot of benefit in your daily life if you are able to wake-up and pray the dawn prayer in its time. May Allah facilitate ease for you in all your situations.
And Allah knows best,
Saira