The hardest Prayers for the Hypocrites are 'Isha' and Fajr

Question :

Is it correct to sleep through the Fajr prayer, and should it be prayed upon waking from sleep, in accordance with the words of the Messenger:
"Whoever slept through a prayer or forgot it, must offer it as soon as he remembers it, for that is its time.»

Bearing in mind that I am able to get up, but with great difficulty, and I might pray while I am not fully conscious? I request a detailed explanation of the virtue of Fajr prayer (in particular) and the punishment of one who abandons it.

Answer:

A Muslim is required to take great care in the performance of all of his prayers, in the mosque and in congregation. He must be meticulous in this and avoid all things which hinder or prevent him from performing what Allah has made incumbent upon him. Among the most important of such things is the Fajr prayer, for it has been authentically reported from the Prophet that he said:

"The most difficult prayers for the hypocrites are the 'Isha' prayer and the Fajr prayer. And if they knew what (virtue) was in it, they would come to it crawling. And Allah, the Most High says:

And recite the Qur'an in the early dawn (i.e. the morning prayer). Verily, the recitation of the Qur'an in the early dawn is ever witnessed.

It has been reported in a Hadith that the angels are the ones who witness it; that is, the angels of the night and the angels of the day gather there. Imam Ash-Shafi'i held the view that the middle prayer (mentioned by Allah in the Qur'an) is the Fajr prayer and as evidence, he cited the Words of Allah, the Most High:

Guard strictly (the five obligatory) Salawat (prayers), especially the middle prayer. And stand before Allah with obedience [and do not speak to others during the Salah (prayers)].

Long standing is only in the Fajr prayer, therefore it is obligatory to take care in it. You must effect the means which will enable you to perform it at the right time in congregation, by sleeping early and not staying awake for a long period of time at the start of the night, because this causes sleep to overcome you in the last part of the night, so that you miss praying at the right time. Likewise, you must take care to awaken when you hear the Athan or when it is near, or enlist someone to wake you or knock on the door at the time of prayer, or place an alarm clock near to you to wake you at or near the time of the Athan.

When a person becomes accustomed to waking, he conquers tiredness and difficulties and circumstances become easier for him and he comes to love the prayer and enjoy it and concentrates his heart upon what he says and what he hears therein. And Allah knows best.