By Abdullahi Jamaa
Every Muslim has to fear Allah (Exalted be He) and offer the five obligatory daily prayers at their appointed times. Since prayer on time is the best deed and the first row is the best row, a believer must exert efforts to do them on time and in the best manner.
Our righteous predecessors used to evaluate a person’s seriousness through compulsory prayer. If a person is a routine late comer and negligent when it comes to prayer it was a sure sign that he is irresponsible and so they said: “If a person neglects compulsory prayer his other matters are worse”
Prayer is the heartbeat of ibadah and the key to paradise. It is indeed carelessness of some sort to delay or neglect this awesome appointment with Allah. Play with other things but never play with your prayer. It is your bastion of salvation, so hold on to it.
The believer will face Allah two times, the first is during prayer and the second is the day of judgment. Those who make their first meeting with care and consideration will find celestial joy and blissful recompense during the second meeting; whereas those who mishandle their first meeting will have their second aborted.
While all five daily obligator payers are important, fajr is particularly awesome and amazingly reward full. It marks the beginning of a blissful day and it is one of the hardest prayers especially for hypocrites.
Waking up not just on time but ahead of time is a feat that all honorable believers must achieve. Your target for the dawn prayer should be waking up early enough for a spiritually engaging day. Mark your time and be sited in the masjid way ahead of the second adhaan.
Sleep early
One of the means that you can try in order to offer fajr prayer in congregation is to sleep early and to set your alarm. In this way, you will be able to arise at the right time and attend the congregational Prayer.
You should ask Allah (Exalted be He) to help you wake up at Fajr time. We are generally vulnerable and weak; without the support and guidance of Allah, we will never achieve our target. Seek the support of Allah.
Another means you can try is to recite dhikr (remembrance of Allah) which is said upon sleeping. Learn the prophetic bedtime routine and follow them practically. This will go a long way in safeguarding yourself against the temptations of satan.
This way, Allah (Exalted be He) will help you wake up to offer fajr prayer in congregation.
May Allah help us all.
