All praise is due to Allah and may His choicest salutations continue to descend upon our Master and Leader Muhammad (saw)

 

“…By the bright morning hours…” (93:1)

 

The early morning brings with it special blessings. It is a unique part of the day which offers opportunities to become more productive and to make your day more rewarding. The early hours of the morning has a richness that enhances our physical, emotional and spiritual self.  The natural environment during the daybreak also has a positive impact on human feelings. A new dawn brings with it renewed hope, increased energy and endless possibility. The cusp of day is filled with a serene silence that stirs the soul and invigorates the mind. There can be nothing more pleasing to the senses than the early morning hours. Nature is at its best at these heavenly hours. Allah Himself swears by the morning hours in Surah Duha to cheer Nabi (saw) who was going through a very anxious period in the following words: “By the bright morning hours…”

 

It is a time witnessed by the angels:
“Perform the Salah (Prayer) from midday till the darkness of the night, and recite the Qur’an in the early dawn. Verily, the recitation of the Qur’an in the early dawn is ever witnessed (attended by the angels).” (17:78)

 

Better than all that the world contains:
“The two Rak’ah before the dawn (Fajr) prayer are better than this world and all it contains.” (Muslim)

 

An opportune time to seek forgiveness:
Allah describes the true believers as  “…those who seek forgiveness before dawn.” (3:17)

 

Closeness to Allah:
“The closest that a slave comes to his Lord is during the middle of the latter portion of the night. If you can be among those who remember Allah, the Exalted One, at that time, then do so.” (Tirmidhi)

 

It is a period infused with energy and vitality:
“When the Prophet (saw) despatched his army, he would send them at the beginning of the day” (Ibn Majah)

 

Increased productivity:
Nabi (saw) specifically made dua for blessings during the early hours of the morning. He said: “O Allah, bless my nation in their early mornings (i.e. what they do early in the morning)” “Sakhr was a man engaged in trade, and he used to send his goods out at the beginning of the day, and his wealth grew and increased.” (Ibn Majah)

 

Better memory:
Research conducted by Texas University found that students who consistently woke up early each day actually earned better test scores and overall grade points in comparison to those who frequently slept in.

 

Proactivity:
In another study, researchers found that early risers are proactive. This also means that they’re more eager to achieve something in their lives.

 

Creativity:
Research into the human body—its hormone allotment, its rhythms, and its tendencies—has found that there are certain times of day when the body is just better at performing certain activities. Many writers find they’re the most creative first thing in the morning. It’s when your mind is fresh. They have learned to organize their days so that they work on tasks that require the greatest creativity – like writing – at the very beginning of the day.

 

Optimism:
Scientific studies have shown that morning people exhibit character traits like optimism, being agreeable, satisfaction and diligence. Night owls, while linked with creativity and intelligence, are more likely to exhibit traits like depression, pessimism and anxiety.

 

May Allah grant us the ability to benefit from the heavenly hours of the morning which bring with it Allah’s special mercy, forgiveness and blessings.