Consisting of two rak'a (units), it is performed between the break of dawn and sunrise.

[4][5] Due to its timing, Islamic belief holds the fajr prayer to be of great importance.

During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Muslims begin fasting with the fajr prayer.

[6] In fajr, Al-Fatiha and the additional surah are to be read aloud (jahr), as during Maghrib and Isha.

[13] According to Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti's commentary on angels (Al-Haba'ik fi Akhbar al-Mala'ik), this verse describes the witnessing of dawn prayer by the angels of the day and the night.