Is It Permissible to Pray Fajr Before Leaving Home? A Traveler’s Guide
Question: A sister asks that her husband leave home before Fajr (dawn) prayer, with about 45 minutes remaining until the Fajr adhan (call to prayer). He travels by train, and the Fajr time occurs during the journey, which lasts two hours, meaning that by the time the journey ends, the Fajr time has passed. Can he pray Fajr before leaving home?
Answer: Regarding the five daily prayers, Allah the Almighty has commanded that we cannot perform any prayer before its designated time.
Allah the Almighty says:
{إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَّوْقُوتًا (103)}
Translation: "Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specific times" (Surah An-Nisa: 103).
In light of this command, all prayers must be performed after their time has begun.
Therefore, a person who has to leave for a journey 45 minutes before Fajr cannot pray Fajr before its time begins. Once the Fajr time starts, he should pray wherever he is. If the Fajr time occurs while he is on the train, he should pray on the train as per his convenience. If he cannot stand and pray on the train, he can pray while seated.
It should be noted that in India, praying on the train, especially in today’s context, can be risky. Therefore, it is advisable for people in India to avoid praying on the train and instead pray at a safe location once they reach their destination.
Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi (may Allah preserve him)
❪Jeddah Dawah Center, Hayy Al-Salamah – Saudi Arabia❫
Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi (may Allah preserve him)