Is it better to pray Fajr at home during the last part of the night (ghalas) than to pray Fajr at the mosque in congregation after dawn (isfar), given the short time between Isha and Fajr and the long distances from the mosque?

The scholars have unanimously agreed that the time for Fajr prayer is between the appearance of dawn (true dawn) and sunrise. It is permissible to delay it until the time of Isfar (when light spreads and it becomes well-lit) if that facilitates matters for people and removes hardship.

Scholars have differed on which is better: performing it alone at the beginning of its time, or in congregation at the time of Isfar? Malik preferred the former (alone), while the Shafi'is preferred the latter (in congregation). The Hanafis believe it is preferable to perform it at the very end of its time, absolutely.

It is better for this brother to pray it with the congregation at the time of Isfar if it does not cause him hardship, especially since congregational prayer is obligatory according to some scholars. If waiting for the congregation causes hardship, he may pray it at home in congregation with his family, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "A man's prayer with another man is purer than his prayer alone, and a man's prayer with two men is purer than his prayer with one man. And the more numerous they are, the more beloved it is to Allah, the Almighty, the Majestic." The Hadith on the فضl (merit) of congregational prayer are more numerous and explicit than the Hadith on the merit of praying at the beginning of the time.