What is the authenticity of the hadith: “Delay the Fajr prayer until the light of dawn appears, for that is greater for the reward”?
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The questioner : What is the authenticity of the hadith Jami` at-Tirmidhi 154Sahih (Darussalam)?
The Shaykh : I do not have the chain of narration for this hadith at hand, nor do I know what its chain is. However, the scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) differed regarding its meaning. Some said: “Delay the Fajr prayer until the light of dawn appears, for that is greater for your rewards.” They stated that the meaning is to delay the Fajr prayer until the full light of dawn appears. Others said: “Delay until the light of dawn appears,” meaning do not hasten until the dawn becomes clear, because the dawn is faint at first when it appears. For this reason, Allah the Exalted did not base the rulings on the appearance of the dawn, but on the clarity of the dawn, as He said regarding fasting:[Al-Baqarah 2:187]. This opinion, which I mean that the intended meaning is the confirmation of the dawn's appearance, is the correct one, because the Sunnah clarified that. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray the Fajr prayer in the darkness.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
Perform Fajr at AI-Isfar, for indeed its reward is greater.
أسفروا بالفجر، فإنه أعظم للأجرThe Shaykh : I do not have the chain of narration for this hadith at hand, nor do I know what its chain is. However, the scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) differed regarding its meaning. Some said: “Delay the Fajr prayer until the light of dawn appears, for that is greater for your rewards.” They stated that the meaning is to delay the Fajr prayer until the full light of dawn appears. Others said: “Delay until the light of dawn appears,” meaning do not hasten until the dawn becomes clear, because the dawn is faint at first when it appears. For this reason, Allah the Exalted did not base the rulings on the appearance of the dawn, but on the clarity of the dawn, as He said regarding fasting:
So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]
فَالآنَ بَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَابْتَغُوا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِThe questioner : May Allah reward you with good.