I have a question regarding prayers: Why do we have to pray fajr prayer before sunrise? Why didn't God make it possible to pray 'till the next prayer as all the other prayers? It is very difficult and sometimes impossible in the world we live in today to wake up from the middle of your sleep, for example when you have an exam two hours later. I thought that prayers are a basic thing in Islam that everyone should be able to do anytime, and not only sometimes, and should not be too hard to do. It is very difficult to wake up kids from the middle of their sleep when they have to wake up for school a few hours later, yet, it seems to be obligatory. What I am asking about is whether it is possible to perform fajr normally 'till thuhr if you are not awake at the time of fajr anyway. I have tried praying fajr for a long time, and struggled a lot because I can't live my life normally anymore. My academic achievements have decreased ever since, and I have failed some courses because I can't focus on anything anymore. I know that God is merciful, but what I have experienced so far since trying to wake up for fajr cannot content God and cannot be under any circumstances the goal of praying, it cannot satisfy the picture of a Muslim who has to be strong both mentally and physically. Thank You

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

You should know, dear brother, that Allaah has ordained the prayer at prescribed fixed times and He has not prescribed its times according to people’s wishes and desires. Therefore, it is not correct or acceptable to ask why the time of the Fajr (dawn) prayer is restricted by sunrise and why it does not continue until Thuhr (noon) time, as Allaah is not to be questioned about what He does. Allaah Says (what means): {He is not (to be) questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.} [Quran 21:23]

Saying that it is difficult to wake up nowadays in order to perform the prayer on time is not true. There are millions of Muslims who study in universities or work - and are excellent in their studies and work - who pray the Fajr prayer on time; why is it then that by their performance of the prayer on time they did not deteriorate in their studies and work? Why are you exaggerating and making things sound so difficult?

In addition to this, Allaah informed us in His Book that He does not overburden a soul more than it can bear, and it is He Who ordained us to perform the Fajr prayer at its prescribed fixed time, so we know for sure that this is within our possibility and ability.

The laziness of one person or his inability is not a reason for changing an Islamic legislation that is legislated by Allaah and which has been practised by the Muslim nation for the last 14 centuries.

So, dear brother, you should fear Allaah and endeavour to perform the prayer on time and undertake the means which will help you to this effect, like sleeping early, not overburdening your body with unnecessary hard work during the day, and taking a short nap during the day. Moreover, you should not stay up too late at night and you should stay away from sins as they are a reason for being prevented from performing acts of obedience. Allaah Says (what means): {And if they had intended to go forth, they would have prepared for it [some] preparation. But Allaah disliked their being sent, so He kept them back, and they were told, “Remain [behind] with those who remain.”} [Quran 9:46]

For more on the factors which would help you wake up on time for the Fajr prayer, please refer to Fatwa 90478, and to Fatwas 82253 and 82907 on the times of the prayers.

Allaah Knows best.