In short: “The two rak’ahs at dawn are better than this world and what it contains” (Sahih Muslim 725). They are the two sunnah rak’ahs prayed after the Fajr adhan and before the obligatory Fajr prayer, and they are part of the twelve daily sunnah prayers that build a house in Jannah.
Their reward
Aisha reported that the Prophet ﷺ said the two rak’ahs of dawn are better than this world and everything in it (Muslim 725). Every house, car, bank account and kingdom on earth is worth less than these two short rak’ahs.
How and when to pray them
- Time: after the Fajr time begins (the adhan) and before the obligatory two rak’ahs. Check Fajr time for your city.
- Pray two rak’ahs like any two-rak’ah prayer. They are usually kept short. See how to pray salah.
- Then pray Fajr.
Make it a habit
- Set your alarm a few minutes earlier than you need for Fajr.
- Sleep earlier. If you also want the night prayer, see how to pray Tahajjud.