Many Muslims aim to wake up for Fajr prayer on time, but some struggle. The Sunnah and supplications of the Prophet provide guidance to ease this practice.
Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Satan ties three knots at the back of your head while you sleep; for each knot he strikes you with a long night. If you wake up and remember Allah, one knot is undone; if you perform ablution, another knot is undone; if you pray, all knots are undone, and you start your day energetic and good-hearted."
Fajr wake-up prayers include:
"O Allah, You created my soul and You take its life and grant its sustenance, protect it if You keep it alive, forgive it if You take it."
"O Allah, save me from Your punishment on the Day You resurrect Your servants."
"Praise be to Allah who fed us, gave us drink, sufficed us, and sheltered us."
"O Allah, I submit my soul to You, entrust my affairs to You, and turn my face to You; I believe in Your Book and Your Prophet."
Bedtime Sunnahs to aid waking early:
Sleep in ablution, lying on the right side.
Recite Surah Al-Ikhlas and the two Mu’awwidhatayn, rubbing them over the body.
Dhikr before sleep: 34 Takbirs, 33 Tasbih, 33 Tahmid.
Place the right hand under the right cheek.
Recite Ayat al-Kursi and the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah.
Wake-up prayer: "Praise be to Allah who gave us life after causing us to die, and to Him is the resurrection."
Protection supplication: "O Allah, suffice me with Your lawful against Your forbidden, enrich me with Your grace instead of others."
Forgiveness prayer: "O Allah, forgive all my sins, small and large, past and future, public and hidden."
Reliance on Allah: "O Allah, I submit myself to You, entrust my affairs to You, and believe in Your Book and Prophet."
Following these prayers and Sunnahs before bed facilitates waking for Fajr, keeping the heart alert and ready for worship from the start of the day.
