Jubayer Ahmad

It is Sunnah for every Muslim to recite Duwa (Alhamdulillahillaji ahyana ba’da ma amatana wailayhin nushur), wipe the effects of sleep from the face and recite the last ten verses of Sura Al-e-Imran after waking up. Then he/she can pass urine or stools if he needs. It is also an important Sunnah for every Muslim to wash his hands after waking up. Abu Hurairah (Ra) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “When one of you wakes up from sleep, let him wash his hands before putting them in the water for ablution, because he does not know where his hands were during sleep.” (Sahih Bukhari: 162).

Then a Muslim should use Miswak. As using Miswak purifies one’s mouth and pleases Allah, it is encouraged repeatedly in Islam to use Miswak. Ayeeshah (Ra), the mother of believers narrated that The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “The Miswak (tooth-stick) cleanses and purifies the mouth and pleases the Rabb (Allah).” (Sunan Nasayee: 05). It is highly recommended in Islam to use Miswak before making ablution and performing five times prayers.  Zayd ibn Khalid al-Juhani (Ra) said, “I heard The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say, ‘Were it not hard on my Ummah, I would order them to use the tooth-stick at the time of every prayer.’” (Abu Dawood: 47).

It was a common practice of our beloved Prophet (PBUH) to use Miswak every day and night whenever he woke up from sleep. Hudhayfah Ibn al-Yamaan (Ra) said that whenever the Prophet (PBUH) got up at night, he used to clean his mouth with Siwak. (Sahih Bukhari: 245). Then he should take bath if needed or perform ablution. If a Muslim is in the state of major ritual impurity, known as Janabah, he should perform a full bath after waking up. If he is not in the state of major impurity, he does not need to perform a full bath; he is only required to make ablution (Wudu).

After making ablution or performing a full bath, a Muslim can perform 12 Rakats Tahajjud prayer. As Tahajjud is the most virtuous Nafl (voluntary) prayer, The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to perform it regularly and made it a consistent practice throughout his life. Allah (PBUH) says, “And rise at ‘the last’ part of the night, pray Tahajjud beyond what is incumbent on you; maybe your Lord will raise you to a position of great glory.” (Sura Bani Israyel: 79). It can be performed in a normal way. Although, there is no maximum limit for the number of Rakats (units) one can perform the Tahajjud prayer, rather it can be performed as much as possible according to one’s ability. An individual can perform at least two Rakats of Tahajjud prayer and it can be extended to four, six, eight, ten, twelve or even more Rakats. It is performed in sets of two Rakats followed by a single Salam for each pair.

When Muazzin calls Azan for Fajr prayer, Muslims should reply to the words what the Muazzin speaks out. Abu Sayeed Al-Khudri (Ra) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whenever you hear the Azan, say what the Muazzin (caller) is saying.” (Sahih Bukhari & Muslim). When a Muazzin says specific phrases during Azan, a Muslim should repeat them except Haiya ‘Alassalah and Haiya alal falah’. When Muazzin says these, listener should make a response: ‘La hawla wala quwata illa billah (There is neither might nor any power except Allah). When Muazzin says, ‘As-salatu khayrun minan-nawm (Prayer is better than sleep)’ in the Azan of Fajr, a Muslim should response: Sadaqta wa bararta (You have spoken the truth and done a good deed).

After replying to the Azan, a Muslim should perform two Rakats of Sunnah prayer. Aisha (Ra) narrated, “The Prophet (PBUH) used to offer two light Rakats between the Azan and the Iqama of the Fajr prayer.” (Sahih Bukhari: 619). It is Makruh (disliked) to perform any voluntary (Nafl) prayers beyond the two Rakats of the Sunnah of Fajr after the break of Subh Sadiq (true dawn) and before the obligatory prayer of Fajr.

After completing two Rakats of Sunnah, a Muslim must go to the mosque to perform the obligatory prayer of Fajr in congregation. Abdullah Ibn Abbas (Ra) Narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) slept till the middle of the night, either a bit before or a bit after it, and then woke up rubbing the traces of sleep off his face with his hands, and then recited the last ten verses of Sura Al-e-Imran. Then he got up and went to a hanging water skin, performed ablution from it -- and performed it perfectly. Then he stood up to perform the prayer. He then offered two Rakat, then two Rakat then two Rakat, then two then two Rakat, then two Rakat, and finally, one Rakat. Then lay down again till the Muadhdhin came to him, whereupon he got up and offered a light two Rakats prayer and went out (to the mosque) and offered the (compulsory congregational) Fajr prayer. (Sahih Bukhari: 4572).

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The writer is Khatib of Baitush Shafiq Mosque and Principal of Baitul Hikmah Academy, Gazipur