THE IDEAL MUSLIMAH

For many Muslims, fajr prayer can be the most challenging one. In that vein, there are many hadiths that speak to the great reward and blessing entailed in waking up for fajr prayer.

Abu Zuhayr 'Umara ibn Ruwayba said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'No one who used to pray before the rising of the sun and before its setting will enter the Fire," meaning Fajr and 'Asr." [Muslim]

Jundub ibn Sufyan reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Anyone who prays the Subh prayer is in Allah's keeping. O son of Adam, watch out that Allah does not demand from you anything that is in His keeping." [Muslim]

Conversely, deliberately missing prayers is an enormity, an action that is both punishable by a legal penalty in this world, and divine punishment in the Hereafter.

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "The agreement that is between us and them is the prayer: whoever leaves it has disbelieved."

In another hadith, it is narrated on the authority of Abu Zubair that he heard Jabir b. 'Abdullah saying, 'I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) observing this, "Between man and polytheism and unbelief is the abandonment of salat." [Muslim]

Salat is a pillar of our faith, and there is no such thing as doing too much to ensure that this pillar stands.

Remember that actions are rewarded according to intention. If your alarm clock is not helping, I suggest you use the "buddy system." If you live with family or friends, have someone knock on your door and make sure you're awake. Even if they have to sprinkle some water on your face, have them do that.

If you live alone, then have a reliable friend or family member call you. Set your phone to its loudest ring and place it outside your bedroom, preferably right by the bathroom door. Leave your door open so you can hear it. If you have a cell phone, make sure that your helper calls both phones. Have this person call back as many times as necessary for you to wake up. Also, try to go to bed early, so you can make it to the masjid in the morning.

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "And if they only knew what was in the prayers of 'Isha' and Subh [fajr], they would come to them even if they had to crawl." [Agreed upon]