eDawah

Answer:
What is best is that it is said in the last Athan when the Fajr rises, because what is meant by prayer here is the obligatory prayer that which is incumbent to pray when the Fajr rises, therefore it is more correct that it is in the last Athan. And from the proofs is what has been narrated by Aisha as comes in Sahih Bukari that the Prophet peace and blessings are upon him, when he heard the call in the Athan for Fajr and it was said ‘prayer is better than sleep’ when he heard this he would pray the two rakat before Fajr and then go out to lead the people in prayer. So this is proof that this saying is said in the last Athan, meaning after the Fajr has risen. And because this direction is safer because what is meant by prayer is the obligatory prayer, as for the night prayer then it is possible that sleep could be better than the night prayer if it is a hardship for the person to get up, so the person will sleep through the night so they will be able to get up and pray the obligatory prayer. So it is meant for the saying ‘prayer is better than sleep’ to be said in the last Athan the one that is after the rising of the Fajr; this is better and this is more correct.

Fatwa by Sheikh Bin Baz
Translated by Rasheed Barbee

Link: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/14517