I want to learn about Islam
Zhra
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: "The time for Dhuhr is
from when the sun has passed its zenith and a man's shadow is equal
in length to his height, until the time for 'Asr comes. The time for
'Asr lasts until the sun turns yellow. The time for Maghrib lasts
until the twilight has faded. The time for 'Isha' lasts until
midnight. The time for Subh (Fajr) prayer lasts from the beginning of
the pre-dawn so long as the sun has not yet started to rise. When the
sun starts to rise then stop praying, for it rises between the two
horns of the Shaytaan." [Muslim (612)].
Since the question asked about only Salatul Fajr ---
(1)
The time for Fajr begins with the onset of the "second dawn" and
ends when the sun starts to rise. The "second dawn" is the
brightness that appears along the horizon in the east and extends north
to south. The "first dawn" occurs approximately one hour before
this, and there are differences between the two:
a) In the "first dawn" the brightness extends from east to west,
and in the "second dawn" it extends from north to south.
The "first dawn" is followed by darkness, i.e., the brightness
lasts for a short period then it becomes dark. The "second dawn" is
not followed by darkness, rather the light increases.
c) The "second dawn" is connected to the horizon, with no darkness
between it and the horizon, whereas the "first dawn" is separated
from the horizon with darkness between it and the horizon.
[Rulings on the Times of Salat by Sh.Uthaymeen]
(2)
Due to what is said about mistakes about the time of Fajr in the
timetables that are currently available, many people delay Fajr prayer
until they are certain or think it most likely that the time for it has
started. But this mistake is not so serious, and many of our Scholars
(e.g. Albani, Uthaymeen) have said that it is a matter of only 20-30
minutes.
(3)
We have understood that the time for Fajr begins when the "second dawn"
starts. There are many Ahaadeeth which talk about two dawns.
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: "There are two dawns,
the dawn when food becomes haraam and prayer becomes permissible, and
the dawn when prayer (i.e. Fajr prayer) is haraam and food is
permitted." [Al-Haakim, Al-Bayhaqi; classed as sahih by al-Albani]
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: "Do not let the Adhan
of Bilal stop you from eating suhoor, or the vertical dawn, but the
dawn which appears along the horizon." [Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidhi;
classed as sahih by al-Albani]
>From these Ahaadeeth, we know that the definition of the time of Fajr
is based on observation, not on astronomical calculations or on
timetables whose authors are unknown as far as their trustworthiness
and knowledge are concerned, especially if it is proven that they do
not give the correct times.
(4)
It was the Prophet's way to pray Fajr before the light of day
appeared.
Jaabir ibn 'Abdullah said: The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam
used to pray Fajr when it was 'ghalas' (darkness at the end of night).
[Bukhari (560), Muslim (646)]
'Aa'ishah said:The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam
used to pray Fajr when it was 'ghalas' (darkness at the end of night)
and the believing women would depart and no one would recognize them
because it was so dark, or they would not recognize one another.
[Bukhari (872), Muslim (645)]
Imam An-Nawaawi explained in his commentary of Sahih Muslim: "and no
one would recognize them" refers to the fact that it was still night
time and dark.
Mugheeth ibn Sumay said: I prayed Fajr with 'Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr
in the darkness at the end of the night just before daybreak, and when
he said the tasleem I turned to Ibn 'Umar and said, What is this
prayer? He said, This is how we prayed with the Messenger of Allaah
sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and with Abu Bakr and 'Umar. When 'Umar
was stabbed, 'Uthmaan delayed it until there was light. [Ibn Majah,
classed as sahih by al-Albani]
>From these Ahaadeeth we understand that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi
wa sallam used to pray Fajr at the beginning of it's time.
Conclusion:-
What the Imam told you, brother, is the opinion of some of the Hanafi
scholars. InshAllah ask him nicely to show you the proof for stating as
such. If he can not, then InshAllah advise him nicely (with proof) the
proper timing of Fajr.
Also some people will use this same Hadeeth mentioned from Ibn Majah
and say, "Uthman delayed until there was light and we are supposed to
follow the rightly guided khalifahs".
And if you double check with the Muslims who make this claim, you will
come to see that they did not know the full text of the Hadeeth.
InshAllah I'm sure Sh.Jalal will make any corrections if needed, to my
reply!
Allah Knows Best.
Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatu,
Taufique
http://www.islamlife.com/forum/viewthread.php?forum_id=6&thread_id=191