Learn How to Pronounce fajr | YouPronounce.it

How to Pronounce fajr

Quick Answer: In Arabic, the word "fajr" is pronounced [fadʒr].
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)

Meaning and Context

Fajr (الفجر), derived from the Arabic word for dawn, is the pre-sunrise prayer that marks the commencement of the five daily Salah (Islamic prayers) obligatory for Muslims. This spiritually significant act of worship, performed during the serene twilight period known as the "true dawn" (al-fajr al-ṣādiq), is a profound exercise in discipline and devotion, initiating the believer's day with a direct connection to the divine. The Fajr prayer consists of two rak'ahs (units of prayer) and is preceded by the Adhan (call to prayer), which includes the specific phrase "As-salatu khayrun min an-nawm" ("Prayer is better than sleep"). Observing Fajr on time is a cornerstone of Islamic practice, deeply emphasized in the Quran and Hadith, and serves as a daily spiritual renewal that aligns the worshipper's rhythm with the natural world and the tenets of faith. Its timing, governed by precise astronomical calculations for Fajr time, is a critical element of the Islamic prayer schedule and a fundamental aspect of Muslim daily life, fostering piety and mindfulness from the day's earliest moments.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary term "Fajr" is a standardized transliteration from Arabic, but several variant spellings are commonly encountered in English texts, largely due to differences in phonetic interpretation. The most frequent alternatives include "Fajar" and "Fajer," which attempt to capture the same soft "j" sound. A common typo is the misspelling "Fajir," likely from a misplacement of the 'i' and 'r'. It is also sometimes incorrectly written as "Fajr prayer" in a compounded form ("Fajrprayer") or confused with "Subh," which is another name for the same dawn prayer, though "Subh" is used more regionally. When searching for accurate prayer times, it is important to use the correct spelling "Fajr" to ensure proper results, as search engines may not always recognize the phonetic variants. Additionally, the term should not be confused with "Isha," which is the night prayer, despite both having distinct but sometimes adjacent twilight periods.

Example Sentences

The faithful gathered in the quiet mosque to perform the Fajr prayer as the first light of dawn began to soften the horizon.

Setting an alarm for Fajr time requires dedication, but the profound peace of the early morning worship is its own reward.

Many Islamic mobile applications send notifications for the start of the Fajr window based on one's geographic location.

He found that maintaining the discipline of the Fajr Salah consistently improved his focus and mindfulness throughout the entire day.

The Imam reminded the congregation that the Quran explicitly mentions the Fajr prayer as being witnessed, highlighting its spiritual significance.

During the month of Ramadan, the pre-dawn meal taken before Fajr is called Suhoor, after which the fast begins.

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