[Q 537] Nawafil Before Fajr Sunnah

QUESTION:

Is it permissible when entering the masjid for Fajr to pray 2 nawafil Tahiyyatul Masjid before the the 2 sunnah?

ANSWER:

From the time of Tuloo‘-e-Fajr (dawn break) until Tuloo‘-e-Shams (sunrise), meaning throughout the complete time of Fajr, no Nafl (optional) prayer is permissible besides the two Rak‘ahs of Sunnat-e-Fajr (Sunnah of Fajr). Therefore, if someone enters the masjid after dawn has broken, he is not permitted to perform Tahiyyatul Masjid (the two Rak‘ahs prayed upon entering the masjid) at that time. In such a situation, he should engage in Tasbeeh (glorification of Allah), Tahleel (recitation of لا إله إلا الله), Durood Pak (sending blessings upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), and similar acts of remembrance.

It is mentioned in Bahar-e-Shari‘at:
“From the rising of Fajr until the rising of the sun, apart from the two Rak‘ahs of Sunnah of Fajr, no Nafl prayer is permissible in this period.”

(Bahar-e-Shari‘at, Vol. 1, p. 455, Maktabatul Madinah, Karachi)

Answered by: Usman Madani (Ask Mufti scholar)
Translated answer
Date: 13th February 2026.