The Book of Prayer

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas (RA):

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said that, "Dawn is of two types; the dawn in which eating is forbidden (for the fasting person) and prayer is permitted and the dawn in which prayer is forbidden i.e. the morning prayer and eating is permitted." [Reported by Ibn Khuzaimah and al-Hakim who (both) graded it Sahih].

al-Hakim reported something similar to the above Hadith from Jabir and added to the type of dawn in which eating is forbidden:

"it is spread widely in the horizon," and to the other type: "it has the shape of wolf's tail."

Narrated Ibn Mas'ud (RA):

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: "One of the best deeds is to offer Salat (prayer) in its early time." [Reported by at-Tirmidhi and al-Hakim who (both) graded it Sahih].

Its basic meaning is in the Sahihain of al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Narrated Abu Mahdhurah (RA):

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "The earliest time of prayer is what pleases Allah, the midtime is for the mercy of Allah and the latest time is what Allah pardons." [Reported by ad-Daraqutni with a very weak Sanad (chain)].

at-Tirmidhi has reported something similar, narrated by Ibn 'Umar, without mentioning the midtime. [It is Da'if (weak) too].

Narrated Ibn 'Umar (RA):

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: "There is no Salat (i.e. voluntary prayer) after the break of dawn except Sajdatain (Sunnah of Fajr)." [Reported by al-Khamsah except an-Nasa'i].

In another narration :

'Abdur-Razzaq also narrated: "There is no Salat (voluntary prayer) after the break of dawn ecept the two (Sunnah) Rak'a of Fajr."

A narration of ad-Daraqutni narrated by Amr bin al-'Aas is similar to the one above.

Narrated Umm Salamah (RA):

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) came to my house after offering 'Asr prayer and offered two Rak'a, then I asked him about that and he replied, "I was kept busy (and failed to pray) the two (Sunnah) Rak'a after Zuhr prayer, so I offered them now." I asked him, "Should we offer them if we miss them?" He (ﷺ) replied, "No." [Reported by Ahmad].

The narration of Abu Dawud from 'Aishah (RA) has the same meaning.

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Zaid bin Abd-Rabbihi (RA):

A man appeared to me while I was asleep and told me to say, "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Most Great, Allah is the Most Great)" and he mentioned the Adhan with Allahu Akbar four times without Tarji', and the Iqama once except Qad qamat-is-Salah (the prayer stood ready to begin), (he repeated it twice). He ('Abdullah) said when it was morning I went to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and he said, "It is a true vision..." [Reported by Ahmad and Abu Dawud; at-Tirmidni and Ibn Khuzaimah graded it Sahih (authentic)].

Ahmad added to the end of the above Hadith, the story of BIlal's statement in the Fajr Adhan (morning prayer call):

as-Salatu khairun minan-nawm - "Prayer is better than sleep".

Ibn Khuzaimah reported from Anas (RA):

"It is from the Sunnah that when the Mu'adhadhin says [in the first Adhan of] Fajr (prayer time): 'Haiya 'alal-Falah (Come to the success)', he says (also) 'as-Salatu khairun minan-nawm (Prayer is better than sleep).'"

Narrated Abu Mahdhura (RA):

The Prophet (ﷺ) taught him the Adhan (call to prayer) and he (the narrator) mentioned the Tarji' in it. [Muslim reported it, but mentioned the phrase (Takbir) "Allah is the Most Great" at its beginning just twice.

al-Khamsah reported it, but mentioned the Takbir four times.

Narrated Anas (RA):

Bilal was commanded to announce the Adhan (each phrase) twice and the Iqamah (each phrase) once except "The prayer stood ready to begin" (to be pronounced twice). [Agreed upon; but Muslim did not mentioned the exception].

A narration of an-Nasa'i has:

"Bilal was ordered by the Prophet (ﷺ)."

Narrated Abu Juhaifa (RA):

I saw Bilal calling for prayer and I would follow (looking at) his mouth (as he turned it) this (right) side and that (left) side with his fingers in his ears. [Reported by Ahmad and at-Tirmidhi who graded it Sahih (authentic)].

In a narration of Ibn Majah - 'and he put his fingers in his ears'.