The Time of the Fajr Sunnah

Q: I always go to the Fajr prayer and find that the prayer has already begun, while I have not yet prayed the two rak'ahs of the Fajr Sunnah. Is it permissible for me to pray them after the prayer ends, meaning after the imam says the taslim? And if I wait until the sun rises, will that diminish my reward in any way? Knowing that the two rak'ahs of the Fajr Sunnah are better than the world and all that is in it, as stated in the athar.

A: If it is not possible for a Muslim to perform the Fajr Sunnah before the prayer, he has the choice between performing it after the prayer or postponing it until after the sun has risen. This is because the Sunnah is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in both ways. However, postponing it until after the sun has risen is better, due to the command of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to do so. As for performing it after the prayer, it is established from his approval (peace and blessings be upon him), which indicates that this is permissible.