The Early Hours: Mastering Your Mornings (1)

It is 4am, the world is silent. The streets are quiet. You can no longer hear that blaring sound coming from your neighbour’s loud TV speakers. Even your phone has stopped buzzing. It is the hour of possibilities. The hour when hearts turn silently to Allāh (سبحانه وتعالى), asking for what only He can grant. But there you are, under your duvet struggling to leave your bed. Sounds very familiar right?

عَنْ صَخْرٍ الْغَامِدِيِّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ “‏ اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لأُمَّتِي فِي بُكُورِهَا ‏”

It was narrated from Sakhr Al-Ghamidi that the Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) said: “O Allāh, bless my nation in their early mornings (i.e., what they do early in the morning).” Sunan Ibn Majah 2236

And you know those quiet, pre-dawn hours? The hours that our noble Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) asked Allāh to bless? There’s something magical about them. The world is asleep, your mind is clear and your soul feels alive. Those are the hours where our Lord himself descends to the lowest heavens, ready to answer His beloved servants’ prayers.

So, how do you claim this treasure?

WHAT DOES “EARLY” REALLY MEAN?

When we say “early,” what do we actually mean? Is it just before sunrise, or something more?

In Islam, “Early” refers to those quiet, pre-dawn hours. The ones the Prophet (ﷺ) prayed for us to be blessed in:

“O Allāh, bless my nation in their early mornings.” (Sakhr Al-Ghamidi, Sunan Ibn Majah 2236)

Think about it. The world is still asleep. The streets are empty. Phones aren’t buzzing. And there you are, fully present, your soul is wide awake, talking to Allāh, crying silently, pouring your heart out, reflecting. This is what being “early” really means in Islam.

The best interpretation of the word “بكور” is “أول النهار,” which means the first part of the day. This period starts from true dawn (daybreak) until sunrise. For more details, refer to Qurtubi’s commentary on verse 41 of Al-Imran. On the other hand, the term “pre-dawn” more accurately represents “السحر”; see the tafseer of verse 17 of Al-Imran.

I believe it is possible to incorporate the virtues of these two distinct periods into the message of this article while maintaining their differences. Therefore, the narrations of بكور reflects more on the virtues early to work after solatul fajr before sunrise, whereas the ahadith and verses on predawn reflects on the virtues of ibadat and connection with Allah. And Allah knows best.

From a scientific perspective:

Science agrees: Waking up before sunrise actually works with your body’s natural rhythm. Studies show that early risers:

• Have sharper minds because of fewer distractions.
• Get more things done before the world wakes up.
• Feel calmer and more balanced emotionally.
• Often start healthier routines, like drinking water, exercising, or just enjoying a peaceful moment.

So, “early” isn’t just your clock going off at 6 a.m. It’s your chance to grab a sacred and blessed part of your day, good for your soul, mind and body.

HOW TO WAKE UP EARLY AND STAY AWAKE

Waking up early isn’t easy, I know. Setting the alarm for 4 a.m. feels simple, until it goes off and all you want to do is stay in bed. The good news is that it is a habit you can train yourself with.

Start with Niyyah (Intention): Before bed, remind yourself why you want to wake up early. Make an intention, a resolve and a determination that you are going to wake up early and bi Idhnillāh, you will.

Make Du’ā before bed: Always ask Allāh to help you rise for His remembrance and bless your early hours. Du’ā are our weapons as believers and they help to strengthen both our spiritual and mental readiness. And trust me, you’d find that you are able to wake up early once you start cultivating the habit of making Du’ā before bed.

Prepare your body:

• Sleep early: You can’t rise early if you haven’t rested enough. Remember, early to bed is early to rise. Most adults need 7 – 9 hours of good sleep and this aids an active body system.
• Shift gradually: Don’t try going from late nights to 4 a.m. overnight. Build it up gradually.
• Limit screens before bed: Phones, TVs, and laptops keep your mind active. Also, these gadgets emit blue light, which tricks the brain into thinking it is daytime. This delays melatonin production, the hormone that makes you sleepy. Replace them with quiet activities like reading, journaling, or dhikr. Also, don’t forget to switch off your light before going to bed.
• Use light wisely: Exposure to morning light helps regulate your circadian rhythm, which is like a natural clock that tells your body when to sleep, wake up and feel alert. So when you wake up, try to get some natural light on your face, open the curtains, stand by a window, or step outside for a few minutes. This helps you in staying awake.
• Make it easier to get up: Place your alarm across the room so you have to get out of bed to turn it off. It’s a simple trick, but surprisingly effective, I promise.
• Celebrate small wins: I’m a strong believer of celebrating our small wins so even if you only manage a short Tahajjud or a few minutes of deep tadabbur (reflection), acknowledge it. Your brain will associate early mornings with accomplishment, and spiritually, you’re already receiving the blessings of those hours.

BENEFITS OF WAKING UP EARLY

So, why do we even need to wake up early? Why does Islam praise it, and why does science agree? Let’s break it down.

1. Spiritual Benefits

• Deepens your connection with Allāh: The pre-dawn hours are when Allah descends to the lowest heaven to answer the prayers of His servants. It is a very good time to engage in lots of ‘Ibādāt to grow closer to Him.
• Blessings in your day: The Prophet (ﷺ) made a Du’a for Bārakah in our early mornings so making the most of it brings Bārakah to our day.
• Quiet for worship: No distractions, just you and your Lord.

2. Mental and Emotional Benefits

• Clarity and focus: Early mornings are often calm, which makes it easier to concentrate and reflect.
• Emotional balance: Studies show that early risers often have lower stress and better moods throughout the day.
• Mental planning: With fewer distractions, you can plan your day, set goals, or simply enjoy peaceful moments.

3. Physical and Medical Benefits

• Better sleep rhythm: Waking up early helps regulate your circadian rhythm, improving sleep quality.
• Hormonal balance: Exposure to morning light helps your body produce serotonin, which boosts mood, and regulates melatonin, improving sleep at night.
• Healthy habits: Early risers often find it easier to exercise, hydrate, and eat nutritious breakfasts.

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allāh have mercy on him) reminds us that the Salaf always make good use of their mornings. He explains that the early part of the day is like youth, and the latter part is like old age. Habits formed in the morning carry through the rest of the day. If you’re lazy in the morning, the day tends to follow that laziness. But if you take control, the day becomes easier, full of khayr, and blessed with Bārakah. Master your morning, and your whole day falls into place.

Sakeenah Basheer

Sakeenah Basheer is a student who loves sharing practical tips, reflections, and personal experiences to help sisters live a purposeful and blessed life, one day at a time.