—Fajr. These are the regular Sunnah prayers—known as the rawātib (the confirmed Sunnah units that accompany the prescribed prayers). One should be keen to observe them, except while travelling, for during a journey these rawātib are not performed; rather, one suffices with the obligatory prayers, shortening the four-rakʿah prayers to two. The sole exception is the two rakʿahs before Fajr, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) preserved them both at home and on journey, just as he was constant in the witr prayer whether resident or travelling. Some narrations mention four rakʿahs before Dhuhr in addition to the customary two, making four before Dhuhr, while the remainder of the prayers keep their two: Maghrib, ʿIshāʾ, and Fajr.

Question: At times, after I finish praying, I feel anxious, sleepy, or bored and so I neglect the Sunnah rawātib. Am I blameworthy for that?

Answer: You should strive to maintain the Sunnah rawātib, for they are an emphasised Sunnah. If a person allows himself to succumb to laziness, that laziness only grows. As for drowsiness, if it overwhelms you to the extent that it overtakes you during prayer and you no longer realise what you are saying, then at that point you should sleep. However, if it is only mild drowsiness, you should not omit the rawātib—especially since they do not take much time. Therefore, you ought to keep up with them as best you can.