Is There a Concession for Someone Whose Health Worsens by Praying Fajr on Time Due to Chronic Exhaustion?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

Is there a concession for someone whose health worsens by praying Fajr on time due to chronic exhaustion?

Answer

I pray you are well.

If someone is genuinely struggling due to chronic exhaustion, and praying Fajr on time is having a serious negative effect on their health or their ability to function for the rest of the day, then they should do what they reasonably can manage.

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) was understanding in such matters. It is mentioned that ‘Amr ibn al-As had difficulty in his household with getting up early, and this was mentioned to the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace), and he was understanding.

Do What You Can

The principle here is to do your best.

If getting up for Fajr on time is causing a real and harmful knock-on effect, especially if you need to function properly for work and to provide for yourself and your family, then manage according to your capacity.

If you miss Fajr, then pray it as a qada prayer when you wake up. Turn to Allah and say: “O Allah, You know my excuse. If I could, I would pray on time. If I were able, I would be there.”

Allah knows your situation. Allah knows your excuse.

Maintain the Other Prayers

When you are able to pray on time, then do so. Be careful with the rest of your prayers and show your commitment through them. If Allah facilitates a way for you to pray Fajr on time as well, then take that opportunity.

But otherwise, continue striving within your limits.

If You Slip, Turn Back to Allah

If on a particular day you miss Fajr, then repent and ask Allah for forgiveness. Say: “O Allah, You are the Master and I am the slave. I know You have commanded me to do this, but I have this difficulty, so please forgive me.”

What you will find is that Allah will reward you for your sincerity and your turning back to Him.

And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began studying Arabic Grammar and Morphology whilst studying for a degree in English and History. After graduating, He traveled to Damascus and studied Arabic, Hanafi Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, Theology, and Logic with Shaykh Adnan Darwish, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahman Arjan al-Binsawi, Shaykh Husayn Darwish, Shaykh Muhammad Darwish, the late Shaykh Rashad Shams, and others. He then moved to Amman to continue his studies in those fields, as well as in Tafsir, Quranic Sciences, Hadith Methodology and Commentary, Prophetic Biography, Prophetic Perfections and Traits, Rhetoric, Arabic Literature, and Tajwid. His teachers include Shaykh Ali Hani, Dr. Hamza al-Bakri, Dr. Salah Abu al-Hajj, Dr. Mansur Abu Zina, Shaykh Ahmad Hasanat, Shaykh Ahmad Jammal, and others.