Question

In the Hadith you have answered here, what exact time does the Arabic word “bukur” refer to? Is it after Fajr but before sunrise or immediately after sunrise?

 

Answer

The Hadith in question is as follows:

Sayyiduna Sakhr Al-Ghamidi (radiyallahu ’anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said:

“O Allah! Bless my Ummah in their mornings.”

(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1212. See the authenticity here)

Under the commentary of the verse, “O you who have brought Iman, remember Allah in abundance and glorify him in the morning and the evening” (Surah Ahzab, verse: 41 and 42) the Mufassirun explain “bukrah” to refer to Fajr Salah.

(Tafsirul Baghawi; Ma’alimut Tanzil, Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Ad Durrul Manthur, Surah Ahzab, verse: 42)

Imam Tabari (rahimahullah) explains under the verse, “Glorify Allah’s purity in the evenings and the mornings” (Surah Al ‘Imran, Verse: 41) that “ibkar” refers to the time when dawn sets in, [the beginning of the twilight before sunrise/as the sun appears on the horizon] until mid-morning.

(Tafsirut Tabari; Jami’ul Bayan, Surah Aal ‘Imran, Verse: 41)

From the above it is apparent that the word “bukur” in the Hadith in question refers to the time immediately after Fajr Salah when the horizon brightens before sunrise.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar,

This meaning of “bukur” is further supported by the narrations that discourage sleeping after Fajr salah. See here for more.

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar