"I used to call the Adhan for the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W) and in the first Adhan of Fajr I used to Say: 'Hayya 'ala al-falah, as-salatu khairun minan-nawm, as-salatu khairun minan-nawm, Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar, la ilaha illallah (Come to prosperity, prayer is better than sleep, prayer is better than sleep, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, there is none worthy of worship except Allah).'"
The Book of the Adhan (The Call to Prayer)
Sunan an-Nasa'i - Hadith 647
Hadith Text
"I used to call the Adhan for the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W) and in the first Adhan of Fajr I used to Say: 'Hayya 'ala al-falah, as-salatu khairun minan-nawm, as-salatu khairun minan-nawm, Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar, la ilaha illallah (Come to prosperity, prayer is better than sleep, prayer is better than sleep, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, there is none worthy of worship except Allah).'"
Commentary on the Fajr Adhan
This narration establishes the special addition "as-salatu khairun minan-nawm" (prayer is better than sleep) in the first Fajr call to prayer. This phrase is recited twice after "Hayya 'ala al-falah" specifically in the pre-dawn Adhan for Fajr prayer.
The wisdom behind this addition is to awaken sleeping believers and remind them of the superior merit of standing in prayer before Allah compared to remaining in slumber. It serves as a spiritual alarm clock, emphasizing that the eternal reward of prayer far outweighs the temporary comfort of sleep.
Legal Ruling
The majority of scholars consider this addition to be a confirmed Sunnah (mustahabb) rather than an obligatory part of the Adhan. It is specifically prescribed for the first Adhan of Fajr, which is made before the actual time of Fajr prayer begins, to give people advance notice to prepare for the upcoming prayer.
Spiritual Significance
This teaching reflects Islam's profound understanding of human nature and its gentle approach to worship. Rather than commanding harshly, it reminds the believer through wisdom and gentle persuasion, acknowledging the natural human inclination toward sleep while directing it toward higher spiritual purposes.