Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 196
Emphasis on Performing two Rak’ah Sunnah before Dawn (Fajr) Prayer
1100. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) never omitted four Rak`ah prayer before the Zuhr prayer and two Rak`ah prayers before dawn (Fajr) prayer.
[Al-Bukhari].
1101. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) did not attach more importance to any Nawafil prayer than the two Rak`ah of prayer before dawn (Fajr) prayer.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
1102. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The two Rak`ah before the dawn (Fajr) prayer are better than this world and all it contains.”
[Muslim]
Another narration goes: “The two Rak`ah before the dawn (Fajr) prayer are dearer to me than the whole world.”
1103. Abu `Abdullah Bilal bin Rabah (May Allah be pleased with him) the Mu’adhdhin of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) reported: I went to inform the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) about the time of the dawn (Fajr) prayer, and `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) kept me busy and began to ask me about something till the day grew bright. Then I got up and informed the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) of the time of Salat. I informed him again but he did not came out immediately to lead As-Salat. When he came out, he led As-Salat. I said to him: `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) kept me busy and thus diverted my attention by asking about something and the morning grew bright. You also came out late. Upon that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “I was engaged in performing two Rak`ah of Fajr prayer.” Bilal (May Allah be pleased with him)said: “O Messenger of Allah! You delayed As-Salat so long as the morning grew bright.” He (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Even if the morning had become brighter than it had, I would have performed two Rak`ah of prayer in an excellent manner.”
[Abu Dawud].
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